Ohio Senate candidates J.D. Vance and Tim Ryan gave their final arguments Tuesday on abortion, immigration and other issues, including styles of leadership, that could determine a pivotal U.S. Senate election.

Each candidate answered questions in their own segments before a crowd of around 200 people at a Columbus FOX News Channel townhall.

Ryan, currently a U.S. House Member, took a more moderate tone and said he wanted to work with Republicans, Democrats, and Vance. He also criticised Donald Trump MAGA for encouraging violence such as the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband.

Ryan stated, “We have to stop the stupid fights,” during the town hall. The audience cheered their man.

Vance, a venture capitalist and author who Trump supports, disagreed with Ryan’s assessment about his political positions.

Vance once said that Tim should have better researchers.

The candidates had previously clashed on issues such as abortion, gun control, and immigration. This was not a debate and the candidates didn’t engage with one another. Instead, they answered questions from the audience, moderators and social media users.

Both candidates were able to address their top issues.

Ryan reprimanded Vance for opposing abortion rights. Vance stressed immigration, calling Ryan soft on border security.

Here are some highlights

Vance asks McConnell if he will vote for him as the GOP Senate leader

Vance was last asked if he would vote to elect Kentucky GOP Senator Mitch McConnell, the current GOP leader. This would be Vance’s first vote in his new position as senator.

Vance said that he was “certainly not going to vote for (Democratic Senate leader) Chuck Schumer.”

Vance stated that McConnell would be the only one who could run if Vance was right.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens when we get there, but at the end, I’m going represent Ohioans, and I plan on being an independent voice for Ohioans.”

He said, “Nobody is going be my voter card.”

Rachel Looker

Vance believes teachers could benefit from better pay and resources

Vance was asked what he would do as a senator to help Ohio’s schools and teachers. Vance spoke of his own experience with the public school system, before stating that teachers and schools could benefit from better pay and more resources.

He spoke of talks with teachers, and said he didn’t want to place blame. He also mentioned how COVID made both teachers and children “miserable.”

Vance stated that “we have to accept that our mistakes were made.” He said that a combination learning from past failures and increasing resources will help teachers be more successful in the future 20 years.

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Vance: Abortion should be primarily a state-level decision

Vance stated that the state and federal governments should decide abortion rights, but the states should have 90% of the decision. He supported the current legislation, a 15-week ban that was sponsored by Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. He said it allows for “reasonable exceptions” and sets a minimum national standard.

“We shouldn’t, in this country,” Vance said. Vance stated that this is his view and that he would support legislation to make it a reality.

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Vance wants to be a better listener and communicator to encourage civility

Vance answered a question about how he could make leaders more civil. He said that the most important thing he could as senator was to listen better and communicate better.

He expressed concern about the fact that people with large technology don’t communicate with one another and assume worst of anyone who disagrees.

Vance stated that he believes as a senator, he is able to listen to those he disagrees with and have conversations, something that “we don’t do enough of in this country.”

Rachel Looker

Vance turns Pelosi attack into immigration issue

Vance condemned the attack against Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul and said that it shouldn’t be made into a political issue through blaming conservative rhetoric. However, he quickly linked it to the immigration problem instead.

Vance pointed out that the suspect was illegally in the country and should not have been allowed to attack Pelosi.

Vance stated, “We must deport violent illegal aliens.”

– David Jackson

Vance endorsed the integrity of Ohio’s elections and said he would support the outcome of the Senate race

Vance was asked by a woman in the audience if he believed in the integrity and fairness of Ohio elections, and what message he would send if he lost the race.

Ryan stated, “I believe in the integrity and the elections of Ohio,” adding that the Ohio secretary-of-state does a fantastic job managing Ohio elections.

He stated that he expected to win but would support any other candidate who does.

Vance stated that some states could make elections more secure by implementing universal voter identification and advocating common-sense elections laws.

When asked about his past comments that echoed the baseless claim that the 2020 election had been stolen, he stated that a number state courts had found them not to have conducted elections according to their state constitutions and laws. He stated that battleground states should hold free and fair elections.

Continue reading: Fact check: How can we verify that the 2020 election results were valid and not rigged as Donald Trump claims

Vance stated that the greatest threat to American democracy is the presence of large technology companies who are in alliance with communist Chinese.

He stated, “I don’t want these companies interfering with our elections.”

Rachel Looker

Vance calls for bipartisanship in border policy

Vance answered a question about his plans to secure the southern border. He stated that the wall needed to be completed and that the U.S. should declare the drug cartels a terrorist organization.

Although he acknowledged that President Joe Biden might not be interested in some of his ideas, the candidate believes there is a chance for them to work together.

Vance stated that if Republicans win control of Congress, Democrats will be forced to cooperate with them on a few things. “We must be open to reaching across the aisle to say, “Look, if your willing to get it done for the good of this country, then of course we are willing to work alongside you.”

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Vance blames the Biden administration for its borrowing, spending, and energy sec