Democratic contenders to debate in Toledo

The three Democrats contending for Ohio's newly drawn 9th Congressional District will face off in their first Toledo-area debate next week.

U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and Dennis Kucinich (D., Cleveland) will make their cases for why voters should choose them to represent the district. The third candidate, Cleveland businessman Graham Veysey, is also expected to attend.

Monday's debate will air live on WTOL-TV, Channel 11 from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Blade and Channel 11 are sponsoring the event. WTOL's Jerry Anderson will moderate, and Blade politics writer Tom Troy and Channel 11 anchor Chrys Peterson also will ask questions. The debate will take place at Channel 11's studios.

This year's Democratic primary race is unusual because it pits two incumbents against one another, the result of last year's congressional redistricting process. The new 9th District includes most of Toledo, as it did before, but now stretches to Cleveland's western and southern suburbs, which formerly were in the 10th District.

"This will be a historic debate in many ways because it's the first time two incumbents will be facing each other in an important district like the 9th," said Kurt Franck, executive editor of The Blade. "A lot of people know Marcy Kaptur. Not as many people know Dennis Kucinich. This will give us an opportunity to see all three candidates in action."

The three contenders faced off in their first debate, which was not televised, on Feb. 4 in Sandusky, where poverty and unemployment in northern Ohio and throughout the nation were central issues. But next week's debate will be more accessible to Toledo residents.

"We think this is the best opportunity for voters in this area to hear from the candidates," C.J. Hoyt, Channel 11 news director, said. "It is the only televised debate planned -- at least in the Toledo area."

There will be no studio audience, but Ms. Peterson will ask questions suggested by WTOL Facebook fans, and Mr. Troy plans to incorporate reader input in his questions. Readers can email him at tomtroy@theblade.com.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face one of two Republican candidates in the November general election. Steven Kraus, a Huron auctioneer, is competing against Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher of Springfield Township for the GOP nomination.

Contact Tony Cook at: tcook@theblade.com or 419-724-6065.