The Lake County chambers of commerce, including the Mentor Area Chamber, hosted a forum for the region's state and national legislative candidates last week at LaMalfa Centre.

Both candidates for the Ohio Senate's 18th district seat -- incumbent John Eklund (R-Munson Township) and Democrat Jim Mueller, a Russell Township trustee -- attended the forum.

Eklund and Mueller were asked about the state budget and economy.

Eklund said he was proud of the legislature for passing a budget that shored up an $8 billion hole.

Mueller replied that the state did it on the backs of the local governments by slashing the money they received from the local government fund.

The city of Mentor was split in two during the state's recent redistricting. Consequently, just residents of the first, second and third ward of Mentor will vote in this race.

For more from Mueller and Eklund at the chamber forum, watch:

• Mueller, Eklund Talk About Overcoming Bipartisan Bickering
• Watch: An Introduction To The Candidates Who Want To Be Your State Senator