7th District candidates plan late- October debate

Harbaugh, who lives in Avon, said his campaign had asked for a debate because the public has been contacting his office about seeing the two candidates on the same stage.

“It’s important because democracy requires informed voters,” Harbaugh said, citing the debate as a way to be able to do just that.

Harbaugh’s campaign released a video in August that showed Harbaugh requesting a debate. The campaign said it sent a letter without a response from Gibbs’ campaign.

Jake Altman, Gibbs’ campaign chairman, did not directly respond to questions about having a debate, or say when a decision finally was made to have one at Ashland University.

But he did say in an email that, “Our campaign is looking forward to a very productive debate highlighting Bob’s record of results versus Ken’s resistance and empty rhetoric.”

Gibbs, of Lakeville, was elected as a U.S. representative in 2010.

Ben Kunkel, student programs manager at the Ashbrook Center, said both candidates agreed to the debate after student groups on campus approached them.

“It was really the dedication of the students that got Ashbrook involved,” Kunkel said.

The debate will be moderated by Jeff Sikkenga, co-director of the Ashbrook Center program, and Brad Dicken, editorial page editor of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

It will be at 7 p.m. in the Myers Convocation Center and is open to the public, but tickets are required.

Those who want to attend can get tickets through either campaign. To contact Gibbs’ campaign, email info@bobgibbsforcongress. com. To contact Harbaugh’s campaign, email s.haas@kenharbaughforcongress.com.