Orlando Sonza, the GOP House candidate, expressed strong disagreements with the explanations given by his Democratic opponent, Greg Landsman, regarding an ethics complaint tied to stock trade disclosures. Following their last debate in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sonza stated that Ohio voters remain unconvinced by Landsman's justifications. When questioned about whether the voters were appeased by Landsman's explanations of his stock trades, Sonza responded unequivocally in the negative, emphasizing the need for accountability in Congress.

Landsman is under scrutiny after being accused of delaying the disclosure of stock trades for 20 months, significantly beyond the mandated 45-day period. This complaint was filed by a former Department of Commerce inspector general. While participating in the debate at Xavier University, Landsman admitted the delay, deeming it a mistake, and asserted he was unaware of the trades. Claiming to have corrected the issue, Landsman mentioned that many Congressional members have faced similar situations.

Sonza criticized Landsman's track record, asserting that personal financial management reflects a politician's likely behavior in office. He alluded to Landsman’s involvement in Cincinnati’s "Gang of Five" scandal where Landsman apologized for his actions, but Sonza remains skeptical, highlighting the inadequacy of merely moving on from such issues without comprehensive accountability.

Landsman argued that his late disclosure has been rectified and described Sonza's criticisms as mere desperation. He articulated that voters prefer moderate, cooperative leaders and are weary of far-right extremism. Meanwhile, Sonza contended that the debate illuminated the stark policy differences between them, alluding to economic strategies, border policies, and national security measures where he felt his stance diverged significantly from Landsman's.

The contest in Ohio’s 1st District, as ranked by the Cook Political Report, leans Democratic, yet the Republican party views it as crucial for maintaining their House majority. Landsman’s narrow win in 2022 underscores the district's competitive landscape, drawing significant attention and resources from both parties in the pivotal race.