The three Democratic candidates for the 9th Congressional District faced off over the vacant home problem in northern ohio, the heartbeat bill, and tax rates on Monday.
The district now covers an area along Lake Erie from Toledo to Cleveland.
"I'm running for congress because it's broken and it's going to be fixed by a fresh face," said political newcomer Graham Veysey.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur from Toledo a 15-term Congressional veteran.
"I have the seniority number two (position) on appropriations on Transportation, on Housing, on Defense on Agriculture," said Kaptur.
Well known 8-term Rep. Dennis Kucinich also wants to hold onto a Congressional office.
"I've delivered for people in this area. People in Cuyahoga County know that when they need help, they can come to me," said Kucinnich.
The 60 minute debate Monday ranged from what the national minimum wage should be to America's biggest national security threat.
One of the most heated exchanges was over funding for the innerbelt bridge in Cleveland.
"Are you saying this is a fakeout?" said Kucinich.
"What I'm saying is..." said Kaptur
"Will you help us get the money for the bridge? Will you help us?" said Kucinich.
"I'm saying you didn't have the money for the bridge when you announced that you did," replied Kaptur.
"I didn't say we did," added Kucinich.
Kucinich and Republican Congressman Steve Latourette had a news conference Friday to announce a place to secure money for the second innerbelt bridge. They called for ODOT to apply for a large federal transportation infastructure grant to get it finished.
"He said, no we are applying for a grant, well you can always apply for a grant. The point is, the dollars for any project that involves federal funding has to come through the transportation sub-commitee on which I serve," said Kaptur.
"The tone of congresswoman Kaptur was kind of surprising. I was expecting her to say we put politics aside. You have a problem here I'll help you, she didn't say that," said Kucinich.
"I was amazed that you had these two career politicians arguing over some bridge that has been in the process of being built for years and now they are just showing up," added Veysey.
Election Day is March 6.
Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher and Steve Kraus are running for the Republican nomination for District 9.
Watch ONN and refresh ONN for the latest campaign news.
