The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Democrats cite differences in final debate
Demss battling for their party’s nomination in the race for governor are emphasizing their differences.
Former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich cited his tough stance on gun control to appeal to young voters, while former federal consumer protection chief Richard Cordray said he had taken on powerful financial institutions, as Democratic hopefuls in the race for governor emphasized their differences Tuesday night ahead of the May 8 primary.
The four leading Democratic candidates squared off at Miami University’s Middletown regional campus in their last scheduled debate.
“I was an aggressive consumer watchdog,” said Cordray, emphasizing that he stood up to powerful interests. He also pointed to his support from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The Massachusetts Democrat will campaign with Cordray on Friday in Cincinnati and Columbus, where they will speak to Ohio State University students.
Kucinich staked his claim to young voters, saying he has taken the lead for creating a safer state for them with his push for a statewide ban on assault-style weapons.
“Young people of Ohio, I’m with you; I hear your concerns,” said Kucinich. The issue of guns has received more attention since the deadly school shooting in Florida as students have called for stricter gun laws.
State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, at 38 the youngest of the four candidates, said he would be a fighter with fresh approaches.
“We need somebody different to lead this state,” Schiavoni said.
Former Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill called for legalizing marijuana and building more state mental health hospitals, both moves that he said would help with the state’s opioid crisis.
“We need more hospitals and less prisons,” O’Neill said.
Kucinich in his opening statement pledged to go after “a cesspool of corruption” in Columbus. During the debate, news surfaced that Republican Cliff Rosenberger would resign as Ohio’s House speaker amid talk of an FBI investigation into his activities.