U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Baltimore) will fly to Ohio on Thursday to speak on behalf of Barack Obama in a representational presidential debate.

Cardin will spar against Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle (R), who will represent John McCain. The debate will be held at Park Synagogue Main in Cleveland Heights.

"I am very excited to represent Senator Obama in Cleveland, particularly at an event in the Jewish community," Cardin said in a statement. "Senator Obama is a long-time friend to both the Jewish community in this country and to our ally Israel. I look forward to discussing with the community why Senator Obama is the right man at the right point in history to be President of the United States."

Cardin is currently serving his first term in the U.S. Senate after defeating Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R-Prince George's County) in 2006.