In all these efforts, we worked within a democracy that enabled us to have vigorous public debates, based on shared facts, that respected both majority rule and minority dissent. We recognized that reaching across the aisle in a respectful manner to find common ground was fundamental to helping solve America’s challenges.
Today, we witness a very different environment. Studies show that democracy in America is in serious decline. Candidates for public office are questioning the validity of our elections without surfacing any evidence, while undermining the public’s confidence in our system. Claims of election fraud are made, but only in the states where certain candidates have lost elections. The media is attacked as spreading “fake news” when it shares a narrative contrary to a person’s own benefit. Public officials from different political parties often view each other as enemies, with little room for civil dialogue and agreement on basic facts to address public problems together. This landscape has created confusion and chaos and undermined the ability of the American people and their elected representatives to get things done.
The forthcoming elections call the question on what kind of leaders we seek and state and nation we want to be. One of many examples is the U.S Senate race in Ohio. One candidate perpetuated the myth that the 2020 presidential election was rigged. Saying the election was rigged, without people knowing there is no such evidence to support that claim, also undercuts faith in elections – a foundation of our democracy. The other candidate has stated he will never engage in the culture wars or undermine our democracy.
What candidates do and say matters in how they are able to govern. We know from experience that senators can only work effectively if they know who they are, convey what they believe, are trusted by their colleagues, and represent Ohioans with conviction and character. Regardless of which party you support, Ohio has had many outstanding senators such as John Glenn, George Voinovich, and Mike DeWine. We had the pleasure of serving with them and Ohio deserves such leadership.
We know voters in Ohio will receive an overwhelming rush of TV ads tearing the other candidates apart and making claims that may draw them in or push them away. As Ohioans go to the polls this fall, we hope they will think of our country before party, our democracy before division, and electing leaders who will represent them with honesty, decency, trust and compassion. Ohioians can also take a stand by signing a pledge on joinmoreperfect.us/pledge to support our democracy with safe and fair elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and the rule of law. The future of our democracy depends on it.
David L. Hobson is former President Pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate and U.S. Congressman from the 7th District of Ohio. John M. Bridgeland is former Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman (now Senator) Rob Portman (R-OH), former Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council under President George W. Bush, and is executive chairman of an initiative that has assembled nine U.S. presidential centers across Republican and Democratic administrations to protect and renew American democracy.