Democrat challenges Latta to debates

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PERRYSBURG — Angela Zimmann, Democrat candidate for Ohio’s newly competitive Fifth U.S. Congressional District, accepted an offer to participate in public radio station WGTE’s candidate forum and is urging her opponent, Republican incumbent Bob Latta, to also attend the forum.

“The choices voters face this November are too important to ignore,” Zimmann said. “Congressman Latta owes the people of northwest Ohio an opportunity to see candidates discuss their solutions to today’s problems, but so far my opponent has failed to show up for his constituents.”

The WGTE candidate forum, sponsored by WGTE Public Media, Buckeye CableSystem, and the Lucas County League of Women Voters, will be moderated by WGTE’s Jack Lessenberry. The program, which will feature northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, will air Friday, October 12, at 8:30 p.m.

In addition to WGTE’s candidate forum, Zimmann has accepted several debates and candidate forums throughout the district.

In August, Owens Community College hosted the first debate for Ohio Fifth District candidates. Congressman Latta did not show up to the event, citing that he had been notified of the event too late. However, candidates were first informed of the debate in March.

In a certified letter sent to Latta’s regional offices, campaign office, and Washington, D.C., office, Zimmann challenged her opponent to a series of public debates at each of the colleges in Ohio’s Fifth District. Latta’s office received the first letter August 24. To date, Latta has not responded to Zimmann’s letter.

There are several upcoming events remaining, giving Latta opportunities to debate publicly with Zimmann.