Tim Ryan and J.D. Vance hold second debate in pivotal U.S. Senate race

WASHINGTON – Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Ryan stage a second debate showdown Monday, both looking for an edge in a close contest with national significance.

The two meet in Youngstown just a week after a first debate in which they clashed over abortion, inflation, Ryan's support of President Joe Biden and Vance's support of former President Donald Trump.

Any of these issues could decide an election that could determine whether Democrats and Republicans control the U.S. Senate.

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The candidates: Ryan vs. Vance

Ryan, a 10-term congressman, attacked Vance during the first debate over investments in China, his relationship with the pharmaceutical industry and the opioid epidemic, and his alleged subservience to Trump and the conservative extremists who back him.

“Ohio needs an ass kicker,” Ryan said during the debate. “Not an ass kisser.”

Vance, a venture capitalist who gained fame as the author of a 2016 memoir called "Hillbilly Elegy," stressed Ryan's opposition to tariffs, natural gas fracking and a border wall. Vance said the congressman poses as a moderate, but is really a Biden-style liberal.

“We’re getting close to Halloween, and Tim Ryan has put on a costume where he pretends to be a reasonable moderate," Vance said.

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On abortion

As with other Democrats across the country, Ryan is hoping for a big turnout among women who oppose Republican attempts to restrict or ban abortion.

Democrats like Ryan made abortion a major campaign focus after the Supreme Court in June overturned Roe vs.Wade, the 1973 ruling that had made abortion a constitutional right.

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On inflation

Like other Republican candidates nationwide, Vance is hitting Ryan over high inflation rates and economic uncertainty coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The president's party tends to struggle in midterm elections, so Vance is also trying to link Ryan to Biden, whose presidential approval ratings are hovering in the low-to-mid 40s.

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A close race

Polls have the Vance-Ryan race as a dead heat, well within the margin of error. The Real Clear Politics website poll average has Vance ahead by less than 1 percentage point.

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Ohio Senate race in spotlight

The Ryan-Vance race is one of the closest Senate races in the country, and the result could decide whether Democrats or Republicans control the U.S. Senate.

The chamber is split 50-50 between the parties, with the Democrats in charge because of the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vance and Ryan are seeking to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who opted to retire rather than seek reelection. Democrats believe Ryan give them a good chance of picking up a Republican seat.

Senate control will be decided in closely contested states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, as well as Ohio.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tim Ryan and J.D. Vance hold second debate in U.S. Senate race