Ohio Senate Candidates Spar Over Trump, Clinton In Debate

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — In a spirited second debate Monday, Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Democratic challenger Ted Strickland sparred over their parties’ presidential nominees and accused each other of bending the truth to get an edge with voters. Portman and Strickland often spoke directly into the camera at WBNS-TV’s studios in Columbus, appealing to the battleground state’s divided electorate with personal stories of pulling themselves up through hard work and education. Portman, of Cincinnati, said he wants to continue to be an “independent voice” in Washington, citing his bipartisan efforts to fight the heroin crisis, human trafficking and worker dislocation. Strickland said he wants to spend the rest of his life fighting for Ohio’s working people. The debate began with the two trading jabs over Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Strickland, of eastern Ohio, challenged the timing of Portman’s decision to rescind his endorsement of Trump until nearly the end of the race, after he was well ahead in the polls.