Candidate for Ohio auditor wants 5 debates

The Democratic nominee for Ohio auditor has been calling for weeks for five debates. The campaign of his Republican opponent said Monday that “of course” he will debate, but it didn’t release details.

Former Congressman Zack Space, a Democrat from Dover, on Monday called out his opponent, state Rep. Keith Faber, R-Celina.

Space said that in June, he initially proposed debates when he spoke to Faber at a candidate event. Then on Aug. 1, he sent Faber a letter proposing five encounters, including one each in Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland. The remaining debates would be held in each candidate’s part of the state, according to Space’s proposal. Space also wants three of the debates to be scheduled before the Oct. 10 start of early voting.

Space asked Faber to respond within 10 business days; that deadline passed last week with no response, so Space went public Monday.

“Too many campaigns are won and lost on the strength of 30-second TV ads,” Space Space Faber

said in an email. “This is a chance for candidates to publicly delve into issues, and I’m disappointed but not surprised that my opponent is choosing to hide from the spotlight.”

The Faber campaign responded Monday afternoon.

“Of course we are going to debate Zack Space,” spokeswoman Allison Dumski said in an email. “We are working with his campaign on the details.”

Also Monday, the Ohio Society of CPAs, a group with expertise pertinent to the auditor’s job, endorsed Faber.

“His track record speaks for itself: He is a watchdog for Ohio taxpayer dollars and has a strong history of advocating for efficient, cost-effective and transparent government operations,” society President and CEO Scott Wiley said in a written statement.