U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, JD Vance each seek to become next U.S. senator from Ohio

Tim Ryan Age: 49 Party: Democratic Education: bachelor's degree in political science, Bowling Green State University; law degree, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. Family: wife Andrea, children Mason, Bella and Brady Job history: U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio 13th Congressional District (formerly Ohio 17th Congressional District prior to redistricting) since 2003; Ohio State Senate, 2001-02. Website: TimForOH.com JD Vance Age: 38 Party: Republican Education: Ohio State University, Yale Law School Family: wife Usha, three children Job history: co-founder of Narya Capital; author of the New York Times bestseller "Hillbilly Elegy." Website: JDVance.com Two candidates are battling for Ohioans' votes to become the junior U.S. senator representing the Buckeye State in Washington, D.C. They are longtime U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat who has served voters of Northeast Ohio in Congress for the last 20 years, and JD Vance, a Republican venture capitalist and lawyer who rose to prominence after writing a memoir about his family's Appalachian roots. Ryan and Vance are running to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman after the Republican announced he would not seek another term. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Ryan: As a lifelong Ohioan, I'm proud to have spent my career fighting for Ohioans in Congress. I've seen what happens when our politics and economy aren't working for working people, and there's nothing more patriotic than bringing good-paying jobs to Ohio. I worked across the aisle to support working families, combat the opioid crisis and reinvest in our communities. I've also worked with businesses to revitalize manufacturing and bring good-paying jobs home. As a senator, I'll fight for workers by raising wages, making it easier to unionize, making health care more affordable, and revitalizing manufacturing so we can make things in Ohio again. Vance: First, I haven't spent my entire life in Washington. I've accomplished things in the real world. I'm also the only candidate offering substantive ideas for how to fix our border crisis, drug crisis and inflation crisis. We aren't going to beat China and return prosperity to our people with slogans from career politicians. What is the biggest challenge facing the nation and how would you address it? Ryan: The biggest challenge we face is rising inflation. We need a permanent working-class tax cut to put money in the pockets of Ohio families. In the long run, we need to end the supply chain disruptions and bring back the good-paying union jobs that made Ohio a manufacturing powerhouse. I'll fight like hell to reinvest in our team at home so our workers can compete around the world, crack down on the companies that ship jobs overseas and reward those that create jobs here, and stand firm against unfair trade policies that sell out our workers. Vance: The wide-open southern border is destroying this country. It's how China uses the Mexican drug cartels to flood our country with drugs and crime. It stresses our hospital and school systems with people we can't take care of. And it increases the homelessness and crime in our big cities and small towns. It's time to close the border and take care of American citizens.