Sources: Youngstown in consideration for October Democratic debate
Youngstown City Law Director Jeff Limbian and other sources say they have heard the city is under consideration.
Youngstown may be under consideration for the October Democratic debate.
Youngstown City Law Director Jeff Limbian and other sources say they have heard the city is under consideration.
Joyce Kale-Pesta, the Mahoning County Democratic Party chairwoman, also told 21 News she's heard Youngstown is being thought about as well as Dayton. She told 21 News she's heard that the Covelli Centre and Youngstown State University could be possible sites for the debate. She says the "powers" still have to come into an agreement though and nothing has been set in stone.
Kale-Pesta also weighed in on why Youngstown would be a good location for the fourth debate.
She says that Mahoning County was one of the counties where Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 election. She says they would be going to a place where Democrats can strengthen their party standing.
We also reached out to the former Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman, David Betras, who said the county was ground zero for cross over voters; those who voted for former President Barack Obama and then voted for President Donald Trump in 2016.
"It would make a lot of sense if you're the Democratic Party to talk to those blue collar workers that we bled out in 2016," said Betras.
Former Democratic State Senator Joe Schiavoni says they're still many in the Valley that are unsure which party, let alone which candidate they support and this is an opportunity for the party speak to those votes.
"There are a lot of people that are Republicans that don't support Donald Trump," said Schiavoni. "There are so many good candidates that have different perspectives that could be standing on that stage delivering it and tailoring it towards the Mahoning Valley."
21 News has reached out to the Democratic National Committee as well as the Ohio Democratic Party. They both said a decision has not been made and would not speculate if Youngstown was in consideration for the debate.
The only official word from the Democratic National Committee is that the fourth debate will be held on October 15 and 16 somewhere in Ohio.
21 News will continue to follow this story and give you updates as they become available.
