“O-H,” David Pepper, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, shouted to the crowd who had gathered to watch the next democratic candidates take their podium. The crowd followed with the infamous, “I-O”- ready to hear the big debate of 2019.

As the election draws near, debates take place all over the country in an attempt to draw voters into choosing certain candidates as their choice for president. Otterbein University was chosen as the debate location for the 2019 democratic presidential candidates, which took place on Oct. 15.

Ohio is said to be one of the most important states in the presidential race, as it is a “swing state”- a term coined to depict a state that swings both red for Republican or blue for Democrat. It is never truly consistent, and the votes range and are difficult to predict.

This means Ohio is targeted by political campaigns for rallies and speeches and is often visited by those running for office. It is said by political scientists that whatever Ohio votes, will win.

Nov. 3, 2020, two candidates will remain, while the rest either prepare for another chance next election, or choose to change their direction.

Tom Perez, chair of Democratic National Committee (DNC), said in his introductory speech that he is, “watching the president poison democracy,” he gained applause and attention following that statement, and took leave for the 12 democratic candidates that took the stage.

Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang are just the candidates that attended the debate- there are 19 politicians in running for that fall under the democratic party.
Michael Bennet, Steve Bullock, John Delaney, Wayne Messam, Tim Ryan, Joe Sestakand Marianne Williamson are the seven other democratic candidates that did not attend the debate.
Taking a look at the presidential candidates between both parties, there is a clear difference: a 19-4 difference.

Business Insider hosted a debate between Joe Walsh and Bill Weld, as President Donald Trump and the other republican candidate, Mark Sanford, declined the invitation for a debate (meaning no official 2019 debate plans for the Republican Party).

Meet the Candidates
Getting acquainted with the presidential candidates, as well as any candidates running for a powerful position, keeps citizens informed on both policies and stances with certain issues.

Listed below are the current and past positions held by each candidate as well as their slogan for their individual campaigns. For more in-depth information and statistics, visit ballotpedia.org.

Republican Candidates

Gallery • 4 Photos

Retrieved from Washington Post

Beginning with the current President Donald Trump, his initiative from the first day of his campaign was ‘America First’. This then led to the, “Make America Great Again” slogan. In his presidency, a few highlights are America’s withdrawal of the Iran nuclear deal and the passing of Tax Cuts and Job Acts of 2017 by Congress.

Democratic Candidates

Gallery • 18 Photos

Retrieved from Reuters

Senate member from California, Kamala Harris, advocated for debt-free college, “Medicare for All” and universal Pre-K. “For the People.”