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 both asked how they would overcome partisan bickering in Columbus.

Eklund replied by saying that the current state legislature actually accomplished quite a bit without political brinksmanship getting in the way.

Meanwhile, Mueller said that facts have a way of overcoming partisanship.

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

• Eklund, Mueller Talk About Balancing the Budget & Cuts To The Local Government Fund
• Watch: An Introduction To The Candidates Who Want To Be Your State Senator