Ohio House 57th: Lundy (D) Issues Debate Challenge to Martin (R)

Assistant Safety Service Director Matt Lundy (D-Elyria), challenger to State Rep. Earl Martin (R-Avon Lake) in the 57th Ohio House District, last week issued a debate challenge to the incumbent. “The voters deserve to know where we stand on the issues in face to face debates,” Lundy said. “[Martin] needs to explain to taxpayers why he believes the school funding issue is resolved even though it’s been declared unconstitutional. I’m ready to debate him in every school building or on every street corner in the district.”

Lundy warned that without debates, Martin would try to buy the election through slick ads supported by the biggest lobbyists in Columbus. “The big drug companies and big lobbyists know they have a friend in Earl Martin. They will continue to pour money into Martin’s campaign, because they know that Matt Lundy represents the real change Ohioans want and need,” stressed Lundy. “This race is about what’s good for the families of Lorain County, not what’s good for the big lobbyists in Columbus.” Lundy suggested that the debates could be hosted by the media, PTA groups or community groups in the 57th district.

Lundy was the subject of an interview published on this blog over the weekend. He had a two-decade career as an investigative and political reporter on television, and also served as an Avon Lake City Councilman and Public Relations Coordinator for Cleveland Heights-University Heights City Schools.

Lundy tells me that Martin has so far refused to debate, saying to the Lorain Chronicle Telegram that "there was no need to debate because there would be forums where both of us would appear." As Lundy points out, debates have more substance than candidate forums.