The Ohio Debate Commission, a nonprofit created in 2018 to facilitate debates among candidates vying for the highest statewide offices, says that US Rep. Tim Ryan’s condition that all US Senate Democratic candidates be on stage during the scheduled March 28 debate have been met. A debate that will go on even if the primary is postponed due to the redistricting mess at the Ohio Statehouse.

In February, Ryan said if either Columbus attorney Morgan Harper and Columbus tech executive Traci “TJ” Johnson failed to qualify, he would not participate. But both Harper and Johnson have met the “candidate participation criteria” required by the Ohio Debate Commission, which is hosting the March 28 debates at Central State University.

Johnson’s participation was in doubt as she only announced her candidacy in January.

“You had to meet 7 out of 10 (candidate participation criteria), and she was able to meet 7 of the 10,” said Jill Zimon, executive director of the Ohio Debate Commission. Some of the criteria includes at least $100,000 in campaign contributions, at least 12 campaign related events such as news conferences or neighborhood association meetings, and policy positions on at least five issues are available for the public to review.

“Everything that we have seen indicates (all candidates) are going to be there,” added Zimon.

The Harper/Johnson/Ryan debate begins at 11:30 am (March 28) and will be livestreamed on the Ohio Debate Commission’s YouTube channel and the Ohio Channel, among others. Questions can be submitted to candidates either in writing or via a recorded video here ohiodebatecommission.org.

The debate between the trio of Democrat candidates, and the GOP Senate candidate debate, which will also be held at Central State on March 28 (7 to 8:30 pm), are significant and consequential to say the least.

Can a progressive Dem make a serious challenge against an establishment Dem, as the Ohio Democratic Party itself seeks relevance? And even though Trump’s influence may be waning, is MAGA poised to take further control over the state?  

While GOP candidates came to a near physical confrontation during a recent debate, the establishment wing of the Ohio Dems shied away from Ryan even being in the same room with Harper, the state’s rising progressive star, who has been insisting the two debate for months.

Harper back in October sent a letter to Ohio Democrat chairwoman Liz Walters asking for six debates over six months.

The Ohio Dems scoffed, which suggested to some Ryan doesn’t take Harper seriously as a challenger. Or does the Ohio Democratic Party fear debates between Ryan and Harper would further expose Ryan’s right-leaning policies while giving Harper much needed exposure?

Ryan from Mahoning Valley by many measures is pro-labor, but he’s also a former National Rifle Association member and pro-lifer. Many Ohio progressives believe he’s ensconced in the middle if not leaning to the right.

Yet Ryan is the heavy favorite in the Dem primary, and arguably one of Ohio’s few hopes to fend off MAGA from taking further control. Thus, Ryan’s debate with Harper could influence whether Ohio progressives vote for him in November, albeit an extremely reluctant vote if they do, and one which could keep the Democrat majority in the US Senate.

What is good news for Harper is a delayed primary will be an opportunity to earn more momentum with all Ohio Democrats.  

“It’s definitely an important moment for the campaign,” said Harper to the Free Press regarding the impending debate, adding in an email to supporters: “It is critical to our democracy and flipping Ohio blue that Democratic candidates engage in the same political dialogues and engagement.”

Johnson is a political unknown, and the Free Press tried to reach her, but we only heard back from a campaign worker and working on scheduling a future interview. Ryan’s campaign did not return emails or phone calls.

Nonetheless, where Johnson stands on the issues can be seen here. The Toledo native was raised by a single mother, has served 12 years as central committee woman for Franklin County Democratic Ward 75, and currently president of Tra’Bian Enterprises, an IT company based in Dublin.

On her campaign website, Johnson makes this altruistic plea: “Ohio is now dangerously divided, as is our nation. Our public lives and political parties have become too polarized. [I] believe we must work together to reimagine an American Democracy that is all-inclusive.”

While Ryan has apparently finally found the courage to debate Harper and Johnson, something GOP Senate candidate Josh Mandel didn’t believe Ryan had, there is one candidate who has given the cold shoulder to the Ohio Debate Commission, that being the state’s highest office holder.

“Sadly, yes, the news came out (recently) that Gov. DeWine was declining our invitation to participate,” Zimon said.

DeWine’s opponents are Trump supporters Jim Renacci and Joe Blystone, and Renacci said he will not participate in any debate if DeWine bails.

Zimon said DeWine is the first candidate to ever deny an invitation from the commission.  

For those interested in the Ohio Democratic governor candidate debate between former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, they will face off March 29 from 7 to 8:30 pm.