Submitted by Bipartisan Ohio Mayors Alliance Board of Directors: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (D), Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther (D), Fairfield Mayor Mitch Rhodus (R), Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn (R), Mayor of Kettering Peggy Lehner (R), Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter (D) and Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown (D).

Despite the heated rhetoric of this contentious presidential election, it is important to remember that our common bond as Ohioans is a thousand times stronger than our political differences as Republicans and Democrats.

Representing different cities around the world Buckeye Statewe disagree on which cities have the best sports teams.

Cleveland and Cincinnati feud Guardians and the Reds. Columbus is still in favor of Clippers on Toledo Mud Hens and don’t even get us started on which of our hometowns has the best food or ice cream.

We also often disagree on political issues. Despite these differences, we still find ways to work together as a bipartisan coalition of mayors. Indeed, even when we disagree on sports or politics, we are united as proud Ohioans.

As we prepare for the upcoming election, it is important to remember that throughout our history, generations of Americans have peacefully resolved their differences at the ballot box, trusted the electoral process, and relied on remedies legal frameworks established to resolve disputes.

In Ohio, we can be confident that our elections will be conducted with accuracy and integrity thanks to the bipartisan structure of our county boards of elections, multiple layers of ID verification, and the long-established process of voting at any time during the early voting window.

In this chapter of our national history, our country’s partisan divisions take center stage to the detriment of our shared identity as Americans. We know that the majority of Americans want to chart a better path forward. We support our respective parties, but we know that the future of our communities, our state and our country is not all or nothing. We believe in a future where we all win.

We also know that this vision for our shared future does not mean ignoring the real domestic policy and national security challenges we face today. While we may disagree on how to address these common challenges, we cannot allow these issues to further divide us, turn us against our neighbors, or justify violence.

Springfield teaches us lessons about community

As we learn the results of our national, state, and local elections, we can turn to community leaders in Springfield as an example of what it means to meet this moment.

A few weeks ago, the city of Springfield was immersed in the 2024 presidential election and an emotional national debate over immigration.

From the Internet, severall false and inflammatory allegations about Haitian immigrants have grown across the country. The national uproar led to an unprecedented level of disruption, chaos and fear in Springfield.

Drawing national attention, a small group of attention-seeking hate groups descended on Springfield to provoke and antagonize the community, and foreign adversaries took advantage of our internal division to issue false threats. Springfield schools, gathering places and community neighborhoods.

No “Fluffy Roast”. Haitians don’t eat cats in Springfield. Vance is a liar.

Notice: Springfield’s Haitian immigrants are our neighbors. Hate has deep roots.

Fortunately, Springfield community leaders from the faith community, nonprofits, government and education, as well as many others across the political and ideological spectrum, have stepped up not only to support their neighbors and their community, but also to show the country and the world that violent rhetoric and actions are not welcome in our state.

Since then, many Ohioans of good faith have come together to reject those who seek to divide us.

State leaders and mayors from opposing political parties have come together to challenge these false claims, set the record straight, and support the Springfield community in a variety of ways. This is what Ohioans do and why our shared values ​​will always stand strong against division and hatred.

These lessons can be instructive in the weeks to come. For those who seek to undermine our elections, know that Ohioans will stand together in support of America’s patriotic tradition of free and fair elections. We are not afraid to face difficult times and we know that our collective strength and resilience comes from facing our challenges together.

More must be done to bridge the deep partisan divides in our country, not only in the run-up to this election, but in the months and years to come.

As mayors, we are committed to hosting ongoing conversations in our communities that bring diverse groups and individuals together to agree on what works for all of us.

Submitted by the Bipartisan Ohio Mayors Alliance Board of Directors: Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb (D), Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther (D), Fairfield Mayor Mitch Rhodus (R) , Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn (R), Kettering Mayor Peggy Lehner (R), Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter (D) and Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown (D).

This article was originally published on The Columbus Dispatch: Opinion: Springfield teaches lessons about community, Ohio mayors say