Perrysburg, OH – Owens Community College hosted the first debate featuring the candidates for Ohio’s newly competitive Fifth U.S. Congressional District Thursday evening, but Congressman Bob Latta was the only candidate not to appear at the event.
Democratic challenger Angela Zimmann said that Latta’s absence shows he is out of touch and unwilling to engage with Fifth District voters.
“Tonight, Representative Latta made it clear that his concern is not with the hardworking folks of the Fifth District,” Zimmann said. “Rather than spend time discussing the issues that matter to Northwest Ohio families, Latta remains silent on his votes against our auto industry and jobs.”
With an empty podium bearing Congressman Latta’s name, the incumbent Republican’s absence was hard to miss.
Zimmann referred to her opponent as ‘Silent Bob,’ criticizing her opponent for avoiding public discussion of his voting record.
The Latta campaign said Congressman Latta was unable to attend because Owens Community College contacted the campaign too late. However, Owens student government member Joshua Widanka told The Blade that candidates were invited in late March.
The debate, hosted by Owens Community College student government, focused on a variety of issues including the candidates’ plans to lower taxes and spur job growth in the district.
Zimmann was well received by the audience, particularly when she spoke on how the government has no place between a woman, her doctor, and her health care decisions.
Looking forward, Zimmann hopes Congressman Latta will give voters the opportunity to see the candidates face off in future debates.
“Congressman Latta should, at minimum, work for and be accessible to the folks that elected him to office. Voters deserve the chance to see all candidates discuss issues important to this region, including the sitting congressperson,” Zimmann said.
In a letter sent to Congressman Latta, Zimmann challenged her opponent to a series of debates taking place at each of the colleges and universities in Ohio’s Fifth District. Zimmann has already accepted a debate at Ohio Northern University in mid-October, but there is no confirmation that Latta will attend the event.
The letter has been delivered to Representative Latta’s office.
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Congressman Latta was a no show because he has nothing to say. That is particularly true amongst an audience of young people and academics at a local university or community college.
He is far more comfortable in a more homogenous setting of white upper income business people. If you really want him to show up for a debate, you will probably have to let him pick the time and place..
Good luck as you continue to push for meaningful debate
Keep up the pace
Really, Congressman Latta,or the Latta Campaign (whoever actually does speak)-the end of March wasn’t enough time? Perhaps you operate under the theory ( to paraphrase King Solomon/Abraham Lincoln/ &Mark Twain) better to have people think your out of sync with your constituents, than to debate and remove all doubt. Thanks to the gerrymandering by Ohio Republicans, the face of your constituency has changed. A family history in politics does not translate to a legacy. Name recognition is not enough any longer. Explain your votes and where you and your party want to take us and why.
Talk to us!!
Good luck on getting a response from Congressman Latta. I have a neighbor who had to turn to Marci Kaptur to obtain certain veterans’ medical help for her son who lived in his district because the Congressman apparently wasn’t responsive.