Yahoo Autos Ohio Senate race: Candidates J.D. Vance, Tim Ryan talk abortion, inflation in FOX News town hall
WASHINGTON – Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Ryan made their final arguments Tuesday over abortion, immigration, inflation and other issues – including styles of leadership – that could decide a pivotal U.S. Senate race.
In a FOX News Channel town hall in Columbus, each candidate took questions in separate segments in front of a crowd of some 200 voters.
Ryan, currently a U.S. House member, struck a moderate tone, saying he wants to work with Republicans and Democrats; he also criticized Vance and the Donald Trump MAGA political movement for "extremism" that may be encouraging violence, such as the recent attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband.
"We've got to stop the stupid fights," Ryan said during the town hall where the audience took turns cheering their guy.
Vance, an author and venture capitalist who is supported by Trump, disputed Ryan's assessment of his political positions.
"Tim should have better researchers," Vance said at one point.
The candidates previously clashed over abortion, gun control and immigration. But this was not a debate, and the candidates did not engage with each other; under the town hall format, they responded to questions from audience members, moderators, and social media users.
As a result, both candidates played up their top issues.
Ryan hit Vance for his opposition to abortion rights; Vance stressed immigration and called Ryan soft on border security.
Some highlights:
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Debate recap: Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance, Tim Ryan face off in Youngstown debate
Vance on whether he would vote for McConnell for GOP Senate leader
The last questioner asked Vance if he would vote for Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell – the current GOP leader – to keep his job in what would likely be Vance’s first vote as a new senator.
Vance replied that he is “certainly not voting for (Democratic Senate Leader) Chuck Schumer.”
Vance said if McConnell is the only person who runs, it would be "an easy decision."
“We’ll see what happens when I get to Washington D.C., but at the end of the day, I’m going to represent the people of Ohio and I plan to be an independent voice for the people of Ohio.”
“Nobody is going to own my vote card,” he said.
- Rachel Looker
Vance says teachers 'could use' better pay, resources
After being asked about what he would do in the Senate to improve schools and help teachers in Ohio, Vance praised public schools. He spoke about his personal experience in the public school system before saying teachers and schools "could use" better pay and resources.
He mentioned talks with teachers and – saying he didn't want to cast blame – how the COVID pandemic made teachers and kids "miserable."
The Republican said "we need to accept that we made a lot of mistakes." Vance said he thinks a combination of learning from past mistakes and increased resources will set teachers up for more success over the next 20 years.
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
Vance: abortion should mainly be state-level decision
Vance said that abortion rights should be determined by both the federal and state governments, but states should make 90% of the decision on abortion. He voiced support for current legislation – a 15-week ban sponsored by South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham – saying that it establishes "reasonable" exceptions while also setting a "minimum national standard."
"We should not, in this country, be aborting babies who can feel pain, who are fully formed. That's my view, and I'm certainly willing to support legislation that would make that a reality," Vance said.
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
Vance aims to ‘listen and communicate better’ to foster civility
When asked how he could contribute to more civility between leaders, Vance said the most important thing he could do as senator is listen and communicate better.
He said he worries about how with big technology, people don’t talk to one another and assume the very worst about anyone who disagrees with their stance.
Vance said he thinks as senator, he can listen to people he may disagree with and have conversations with people, adding that’s something “we do way too little of in this country.”
- Rachel Looker
Vance turns Pelosi attack into immigration issue
Vance condemned the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, Paul, and said it should not be turned into a political issue by blaming conservative rhetoric – though he promptly linked it to the immigration issue instead.
More: Alleged Paul Pelosi attacker pleads not guilty at court appearance; will remain jailed
Vance noted that the suspect was in the country illegally, and therefore should never have had the chance to attack Pelosi.
"We need to deport violent illegal aliens," Vance said.
– David Jackson
Endorsing integrity of Ohio elections, Vance said he'll support Senate race outcome
A woman in the audience asked Vance if he believes in the integrity of Ohio elections and what his message will be if he loses the race.
“I do believe in the integrity of Ohio’s elections,” Ryan said, adding that the Ohio secretary of state does a great job administering Ohio elections.
He added that he expects to win, but if he doesn’t he will support the other winning candidate.
On election integrity, Vance said some states could work to make elections more secure, such as establishing universal voter ID and advocating common sense elections laws.
When asked about his previous comments echoing groundless claims that the 2020 election was stolen, he said a number of state courts have found they didn’t conduct elections in accordance with their own state laws and constitutions. He said battleground states should run free and fair elections.
Vance said the biggest threats to American democracy are big technology companies in bed with the communist Chinese.
“I don’t want these companies interfering in our elections,” he said.
- Rachel Looker
Vance calls for bipartisanship on border policy
When asked about what he would do to secure the southern border, Vance said that the border wall needs to be finished and that the U.S. should declare drug cartels as a terrorist organization.
The candidate acknowledged that President Joe Biden may not want to do some of the ideas he suggested, however, he believes that there's a likely chance for both parties to work together.
"I think that if we get Republican majorities in Congress, that Democrats are going to be forced to work with us on a couple of things," Vance said. "We need to be willing to reach across the aisle and say 'Look, if you're willing to get things done for the sake of this country, of course we're willing to work with you.' "
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
Vance blames Biden administration’s borrowing, spending and energy sector for inflation
The first question for Republican Senate nominee J.D. Vance came from a woman from Hilliard, who asked about how Vance will lower the high costs of groceries and medications.
Vance said he was raised by a single mom and his grandmother and can understand the struggles of working families.
He blamed inflation on two factors.
Vance first blamed the Biden administration citing the administration’s borrowing and spending-- “throwing fuel on the fire” -- causing the cost of everything to rise.
The second factor he referenced is the “war” against America’s energy sector. Vance said when energy is expensive, it causes the prices of everything else to rise as well.
To lower prices, Vance said the country needs to stop borrowing and spending and open up Ohio’s energy markets to get prices under control.
The Republican said one of the good outcomes of the Inflation Reduction Act is how it empowers Medicare to negotiate with prescription drug providers to bring down costs for families. The Biden-inspired legislation also capped the cost of insulin for Medicare recipients.
“You should not be unable to afford insulin in the greatest country in the world because you can’t afford it,” he said.
- Rachel Looker
Vance: I support 'legal' immigration
While hitting the immigration issue hard, Vance said he supports "legal" immigration as one way to address American labor shortages.
People should be let into the country on "merit," Vance said, including the ability to do certain types of jobs. He is not very specific.
Vance said his target is "illegal" border crossings.
– David Jackson
‘More border control not less’: Ryan speaks on fentanyl, southern border policy
A voter from Portsmouth, Ohio, asked Ryan why he voted against border and drug enforcement funding and called for defunding ICE when he’s acknowledged that fentanyl is an issue in the country.
Ryan responded to the voter, saying that he “never” called for defunding ICE and has actually voted for more border security and has proposed a resolution in Congress to designate the drug as a “weapon of mass destruction.”
Ryan also explained why he doesn’t support a wall, listing other measures the country should take to improve the situation at the southern border.
The problem with the wall, he said, is that drug lords such as El Chapo "can dig under (it) and people can put ladders up and climb over it."
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
Ryan shares stance on abortion
When asked about abortion, Ryan said he does not think abortions should be allowed later in the term unless there is a medical emergency.
He said what’s happening in Ohio is "sad" because many women whose lives are at risk later in their pregnancy have to travel to another state for an abortion.
Ryan said the country should return to the standards established in Roe v. Wade where abortions are largely prohibited after the third term unless there is a medical emergency.
“We don’t want J.D. Vance and (Texas GOP Sen.) Ted Cruz and all these guys in the doctor’s office,” he said.
When pressed on his stance, Ryan said if an individual is raped in Ohio, they are facing a state-mandated pregnancy when unable to access abortion later in their terms.
“The point is this is America. This is a country built on freedom,” he said “...it completely steals personal freedom and liberty away from women.”
- Rachel Looker
Ryan: The Trump/MAGA movement needs to be 'confronted'
Responding to a Twitter question, Ryan said he used a poor choice of words on the campaign trail when he said that people need to "confront and kill" Donald Trump's MAGA political movement – but it does need to be defeated politically.
"This extremist movement absolutely needs to be confronted," Ryan said.
Ryan said MAGA-type rhetoric inspired the weekend attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul. The congressman also condemned MAGA members who invaded the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 – and noted that Vance sought to raise money for some of the "insurrectionists."
"We have to say no to that," Ryan said.
His criticism of the attack on the U.S. Capitol and was met with boos and cries of "liar" when he talked about attacks on Capitol police officers. Ryan said he was willing to talk to those who disagreed with him.
“These are the conversations we need to have in this country," Ryan said.
- David Jackson and Haley BeMiller
Ryan takes questions on crime, public safety
A senior at Cedarville University broached the topic of public safety and crime, asking how Ryan would prevent the release of offenders and maintain safe communities if elected to the Senate.
Ryan said there is a need for more law enforcement officers and an increased investment in police departments, citing the federal dollars invested in state and local governments to staff such organizations.
The representative also said that solution to crime and public safety is a combination of “conservative” and “progressive” ideas, emphasizing the need for both sides of the aisle to work together.
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
Ryan: 'We need to legalize marijuana'
Ryan called for the legalization of marijuana, saying the product could be taxed and used to fund programs such as addiction treatment. He said he supports releasing nonviolent criminals from prison who were put there for marijuana possession.
He also criticized racial disparities in those incarceration rates.
“There’s so many better ways to spend this money than locking people up for marijuana crimes," he said.
- Haley BeMiller
Ryan: Green energy programs are not increasing gas prices
Ryan took the first question from a woman who wonders if government spending on clean energy programs is contributing to higher gas prices.
The congressman said he doesn't think so, and the solution to inflationary gas prices includes tax cuts and streamlining regulations for oil production; he also promoted the use of electric cars and increased development of natural gas, saying that would reduce dependence on expensive oil imports.
Ryan also said he supports clean and green energy, but that is only part of the answer. He took no position on President Joe Biden's call for an excess profits tax on oil companies.
Saying he agreed with the idea that economy and inflation are the top issues, Ryan returned to the issue of tax cuts: "We have to put money in people's pockets."
– David Jackson
Townhall kicks off
The townhall between Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance and Rep. Tim Ryan and hosted by FOX News started. This is the third and final time the candidates will have to pitch their platforms in an effort to cinch the state’s Senate seat.
The town hall will last one hour and will include questions from both the moderators and bipartisan audience members.
- Sarah Elbeshbishi
When is the town hall?
The two candidates will answer questions during the live town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.
It is scheduled to last one hour.
How to watch?
The town hall will broadcast live on Fox News Channel.
What do the polls show?
A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll found Vance has a slight lead over Ryan thuogh it remains a statistical tie.
Vance leads 47%-45%, a shift from Ryan’s one-point advantage last month. The findings are within the survey’s 4.4 percentage-point margin of error.
Voters said the number one issue on their minds is the economy, with 44% of likely midterm voters citing the economy and inflation as their most important concerns.
- Rachel Looker
Twitter tiff: Vance, Ryan attack each other over immigration, abortion
If social media is any guide, Ryan and Vance will spend a lot of time Tuesday night discussing abortion and border security.
Vance took to Twitter to try and tie immigration to the economy and law enforcement: "Our economic problems are connected to our crime and border issues ... Tim Ryan wants an open border."
Ryan, who says he supports "smart, effective border security," indicated that he will go after Vance's opposition to abortion rights.
"JD Vance wants to pass a national abortion ban," Ryan tweeted.
– David Jackson
Ryan gets chance to reach Republican voters
Tuesday's town hall gives Ryan a chance to reach Fox's more conservative audience -- something that could help his campaign in the final days.
The 10-term congressman has painted himself as an independent, although he's voted with President Joe Biden's policies 100% of the time, according to the non-partisan, dat-crunching web site, FiveThirtyEight. He hopes to reach Ohio conservatives who are more moderate and are not staunch supporters of former President Donald Trump.
The event will allow Ryan to share that message directly with those voters, but whether they buy it remains to be seen. Vance, for his part, has cast Ryan as a hypocrite for claiming to be moderate.
- Haley BeMiller
Who is JD Vance?
Vance, who has never held public office, is the author of "Hillbilly Elegy," a memoir about growing up in a small Midwest town and the decline of white working-class America.
The 37-year-old is a venture capitalist who runs Narya, an Ohio-based venture capital firm he founded and launched in 2020 for startups around the country.
Who is J.D. Vance?: The Trump-backed Ohio GOP Senate nominee
Vance, dubbed a “conservative outsider,” received Trump's endorsement in the Senate race, which boosted his standing in the polls.
The Republican candidate wants to finish building Trump’s wall and increase the number of Border Patrol agents. He also opposes abortion, favors gun rights and supports voting requirements such as showing identification to vote and ending expanded mail-in voting.
- Rachel Looker, Orlando Mayorquin
Who is Tim Ryan?
Ryan, a former Democratic presidential candidate, represents Ohio’s 13th district in the House of Representatives. He is in his 10th term and has been in Congress since 2003. He previously served as an Ohio state senator.
The 48-year-old backs abortion access and supports codifying abortion rights guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.
Who is Tim Ryan?: What to know about the Democratic congressman and Ohio Senate nominee
His campaign focuses on Ohio's working class. He previously voted to pass the PRO Act in 2021 to expand protections for workers looking to unionize.
Ryan's plan to revitalize the working class includes creating new jobs by investing in infrastructure and funding skills training programs. The Democratic candidate supports gun law reform, ending the Senate filibuster and expanding federal voting protections.
- Rachel Looker, Orlando Mayorquin
A close race to watch
The Ohio Senate race is one of the closest in the country.
Its outcome may determine if Democrats or Republicans control the Senate. The chamber is split 50-50 between the Democrats and Republicans, with the Democrats holding the tie-breaking vote with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Vance and Ryan are seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who decided to retire rather than seek reelection.
Senate control will be decided in other closely contested states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Ohio.
- Rachel Looker, David Jackson
Town hall promotions: Cheney endorses Ryan; Gabbard endorses Vance
Ryan and Vance enter this town hall touting high-profile endorsements.
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the former House GOP official who lost a Republican primary in August to a Donald Trump challenger, said she would vote for Ryan if she were an Ohioan; Cheney has criticized Vance for echoing Trump's false conspiracy theories about the latter's loss of the 2020 election.
"I would not vote for J.D. Vance," Cheney said.
More: Liz Cheney says she favors Democrat Tim Ryan in Ohio Senate race over Republican J.D. Vance
Earlier in the day, Vance promoted an endorsement from former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat who is currently popular with Republican conservatives; Gabbard was also a 2020 presidential candidate who attacked Ryan during a debate.
"Grateful to have the support of the last person to clean Tim Ryan's clock on the debate stage," Vance tweeted
– David Jackson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ohio Senate race: Candidates Vance, Ryan appear at live town hall
