WARREN, Ohio - In their first and only debate, Democratic incumbent Congressman Tim Ryan and Republican challenger Chris DePizzo faced off with less than a week before the election.

Ryan began by saying he will continue to represent working class people at the highest levels of government. He said that he has taken on the most powerful Republicans in the country, as well as the most powerful Democrats in the country when the people's interest was at risk. Ryan concluded his opening statement by saying that the best days are ahead of us in the Mahoning Valley.

DePizzo started off by saying that he understands what businesses need to prosper and grow, and more importantly what people need so they can do the same. He said that he believes people need a government that provides people the opportunity for a good paying job, and a Congressman that represents them and their community.

The debate continued with questions sent by the Tribune Chronicle for the candidates.

Regarding the migrant caravan in Central America, Ryan said most of these people entering the U.S. are women and children. Ryan said that he is not worried about women and children 'invading' our country, as he said the president has referred to it. 

Ryan thinks that undocumented immigrants need to come forward and have the right paperwork taken care of so that they can be assimilated into the United States.

DePizzo said Ryan voted against Kate's Law earlier this year, which would have increased the punishment for those who have come across the border illegally and who were repeatedly arrested for felonies. He also said that Ryan would not vote to support immigration and customs enforcement.

DePizzo concluded by saying that the Valley understands more than anywhere else how important immigration is, but that does not mean we are going to throw our laws or our norms out the window. He said that as the President has already said, the caravan that is set to arrive will be processed just like any other immigrants. He said that we are a nation of laws and rules and we will continue to abide by them.

When Ryan was asked about justifying his support of decriminalizing recreational marijuana, he mentioned that he has been on the addiction treatment and recovery caucus for the past six years. Ryan noted that we have lost, last year, more citizens to overdoses than we did throughout the entire Vietnam War.

He continued to say that we have an epidemic involving heroin and opioids, so he feels that we should not overflow the justice system for marijuana-related crimes. Ryan said that he believes the government should legalize and tax marijuana and then use the billions of dollars that are made, to fight the drug that is actually killing citizens.

DePizzo said all too often the decision that is flashy and gets you in the newspaper is not the smartest decision. DePizzo continued to say that right here and now he does not believe we have the research available to us to make that determination, to fully legalize marijuana from the federal level, and so that is why he does not support the legalization of recreational marijuana. He said that he believes in the States Act and that those who are operating as incubators should be able to continue to do that on the state level. 

The next question was directed at DePizzo and referred to the economy.

A reader who has lived in the Valley for 23 years said that she has seen no economic improvement during that time. She asked why this area has remained dormant in job creation for decades, and what DePizzo can do in Washington to help.

DePizzo said that he will be front and center in every economic development that he can be in the Valley. He continued to describe numerous scenarios where he feels that Ryan has not succeeded in economic advancements. He said that Ryan was missing and uninvolved for much of the TJX advancements. 

Ryan rebutted by stating the advancements he feels he has made for the local economy, claiming that he played a major role in making TJX happen. He also named numerous economic advancements that he said he has in the works for the Valley. 

The North American Free Trade Agreement then came into the discussion.

The statement said that some citizens believe that NAFTA may be the biggest reason why so many good-paying, manufacturing jobs have been lost in the area since the early 1990s.

NAFTA 2.0, which was recently passed, is supposed to help correct the issue. DePizzo was asked if he thinks it will work. 

DePizzo said the most important part of that agreement is raising the wages that workers have to make at automotive manufacturing processes. 

DePizzo continued by saying that he's on board with the new agreement but believes we still need to get out there and fight for what we want. He also said he is encouraged by the new agreement; however, he wants to look into it deeper, and that he thinks it will be good for us but we have to work for it. 

Ryan responded by stating that he is supporting the President on NAFTA 2.0 because it is good for the people. He said that he is concerned about the enforcement provisions. He stated that he will continue to work to push negotiations along, but that even if this passes we still need to focus on the future and future jobs. 

Regarding the question of whether or not the candidates would be willing to work with those on the other side of the aisle to get things done, both candidates responded that they would do what was in the best interest of the people at all times.

Attorney DePizzo graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School and Saint Peter's University. He has a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ryan has been a member of Congress since 2003 and serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee.