On Friday morning, Democratic Ohio Senate candidate Tim Ryan agreed to participate in three debates against Republican Senate candidate J.D. Vance before the November 8 general election, including one in Youngstown, but Vance's team has countered with other debate options.

A press release sent Friday afternoon by Vance's campaign stated the Republican Senate candidate is willing to participate in two general election debates with Ryan, one hosted by WJW TV 8 in Cleveland on October 4 and a second debate hosted by WLWT News 5 in Cincinnati, with a date to be determined.

Ryan has agreed to participate in a debate with Vance in Youngstown with 21 News, but the Vance campaign did not respond to the opportunity to debate here in the Valley. 

Many across the US are closely watching the Senate races for the November 8 general election, which will determine which party controls the Senate. States with close key races include Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Florida, and Colorado.