The two candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives 16th District seat politely sparred at a forum held by the Westshore chapters of the League of Women Voters at the Don Umerley Civic Center in Rocky River.

Incumbent Republican Nan Baker and Democratic challenger Andrew Meyer were asked about topics ranging from Issue 2 to abortion. About 130 people were at the forum.

Baker said she had been a part of "hard decisions" in terms of balancing the state budget, but that they are paying off with jobs and growth in Ohio. She mentioned several times that Ohio was the top job-creating state in the Midwest.

Meyer said the budget simply shoved the burden of funding down to the local level while the administration of Gov. John Kasich focused on targeting traditional Democratic supporters, first with Senate Bill 5 and then with voter ID regulations Meyer said were designed to keep Democratic supporters away from the polls.

"There is no virtually no record of voter fraud in Cuyahoga County," he said. "This is a solution in search of a problem."

Baker said that, in a hotly contested presidential election, the state had to take measures to protect the integrity of the election process.

They also disagreed about fracking for natural gas in Ohio parks. Baker said that the state had ample regulations in place. Meyer said while fracking is coming to Ohio whether people wanted it or not, he opposed doing it in state parks and that there should be more environmental and safety regulations.

One issue they were close to agreeing on was the possible sale or leasing of the Ohio Turnpike. Baker said that, while she was open to the possibility, she does not support it at this time.

Meyer said the Turnpike was part of a privatization push by Kasich that would be bad for the state in the long run, bringing up Indiana's leasing of its Toll Road, a move Meyer described as "disastrous."

Meyer came out in support of Issue 2, which would change how redistricting is done in the state. He had strong words for his fellow Democrats, saying not doing anything sooner was a "failure of leadership."

"Democrats dropped the ball on this one," he said. "They had an opportunity when they were in power and chose not to do anything."

Baker opposes Issue 2.

"I don't like taking the authority away from the voters (who elected their representatives)," she said.

One question was about abortion, specifically the "Heartbeat Bill."

Meyer said the bill was unconstitutional and an "exercise in hyperpartisanship," and that he would not support it.

Baker said that such issues were not what she focused on, but added that, for her, the issue was simple.

"If a heartbeat is detected, it's life," Baker said. "I don't know how anyone can deny something as simple as that."