Governor race turns personal as Ohio debates fade
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Ohio's race for governor has turned intensely personal and top statewide candidates aren't debating as election season hits its final stretch.
Why it matters: Political attacks aren't new, but the atmosphere raises questions about whether voters can meaningfully evaluate candidates' ideas, the leader of a local academic center focused on civil politics tells us.
State of play: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton had already declined in September to debate Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, citing his personal attacks.
- That was before Ramaswamy's campaign doubled down this week on a controversial ad featuring Acton's estranged mother, who accuses her daughter of lying about her childhood.
- Acton says her mother failed to protect her from childhood sexual abuse. She accused Ramaswamy of exploiting her trauma.
Meanwhile, no debate has been scheduled between Republican Sen. Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Zoom out: An Axios analysis from last month found five of 10 closely watched gubernatorial races had no agreed-upon debates, compared with two four years ago.
- Three of 10 competitive Senate races also had none scheduled.
What they're saying: Debates may not change votes, but they allow competing ideas to be challenged in real time, says Andrew Lewis, founding executive director of the University of Cincinnati's Portman Center for Policy Solutions.
- "You don't get too many chances where people of different parties, vying for the same role, stand next to each other," he tells Axios.
- The center was launched in partnership with former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman to promote civility in public policy dialogue.
Yes, but: Debates themselves have increasingly devolved into "talking points and gotcha" moments, Lewis acknowledges.
The big picture: Lewis says younger Americans have grown up knowing little beyond intense political polarization.
- His center mentors undergraduate fellows and hosts conversations across political divides to demonstrate productive disagreement.
- Lewis says reversing the trend requires grassroots organizing and political leaders willing to embrace a different approach.
The bottom line: He's still optimistic, especially concerning younger generations who could reshape political discourse.
- "You've got to find the hope because that's what we need."