9th District candidates debate in Toledo

Candidates from left: Dennis Kucinich (D., Cleveland),Cleveland businessman Graham Veysey, and U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) during the Ohio's newly drawn 9th Congressional District Toledo-area debate. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Three candidates for Ohio’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District covered much familiar ground in a debate Monday night in Toledo, with veteran U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and Dennis Kucinich (D., Cleveland) touting their records and Cleveland businessman Graham Veysey saying voters deserve a fresh face.

It was the first time the three have debated in Toledo.

The 45-minute debate, at WTOL-TV Channel 11’s studios, was sponsored by The Blade and Channel 11.

The trio of Democrats also debated earlier Monday in Cleveland.

Mr. Kucinich promised to do a good job representing Toledo. He opened by telling voters he understood many of the issues they face after growing up the oldest in a working-class family in Cleveland.

Mr. Veysey invoked the nation’s debt and mentioned more than once his Congressional competitors' collective years in office, telling listeners, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

Miss Kaptur lauded her seniority and committee positions, and a host of federal projects she had helped fund in Northwest Ohio.

“I’m the jobs Democrat in the race,” she said.

WTOL’s Jerry Anderson served as the moderator; Blade politics writer Tom Troy and Channel 11 anchor Chrys Peterson also asked questions.

The primary election is March 6.