A Needed Reminder: Bipartisanship Is Still Alive in Local Government

Last week, I attended the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Winter Conference—a gathering I always look forward to. These convenings let us step outside our own counties for a few days and focus on learning, listening, and comparing notes about how we’re solving problems back home. Property taxes dominated much of the conversation this year—and for good reason. But as always, I walked away with something even more valuable.

What stayed with me wasn’t any particular policy detail. It was the way we engaged with one another.

Over several days of meetings, hallway conversations, meals, and late-afternoon debriefs, not once did I talk about my political party. No one asked. No one needed to. The challenges facing our counties don’t come with party labels, and the people stepping up to address them aren’t leading with theirs either. We were simply public servants focused on the work and on the residents who rely on us to get it right.

And every now and then, someone would throw in a good-natured line like, “Now, I don’t agree with everything Commissioner Jones does, but I definitely agree with her on this one.” It was always said with a smile. These moments weren’t digs—they were reminders of how naturally we find common ground when we center the shared purpose of serving our communities with humility and honor. If anything, the banter underscored how united we are behind the big picture.

That unity matters more than ever. As budgets tighten and long-standing funding streams continue to erode, counties are feeling the pressure in real time. Decisions made in state capitols and in Washington directly impact our ability to function—to deliver services, maintain infrastructure, and meet the expectations our constituents rightly have. Our very capacity to govern effectively is on the line.

That is why collaboration is not simply a value we hold. It is a necessity for survival.We have to work together. We know this. We respect this. And we lean into this because our communities deserve nothing less.

This is true in Ohio, and it’s true across the country. In both CCAO and the National Association of Counties (NACo), the same pattern holds: leaders set aside partisanship, focus on the issues, and show up ready to solve problems. We don’t waste energy on personal grievances or partisan backbiting. We move forward—together—because the stakes are too high to do anything else.

At this year’s CCAO annual meeting, this bipartisan group of peers elected me to serve another two-year term on the CCAO Board and on the board of the National Association of Counties. My party affiliation was never mentioned. It was never a factor. I was simply honored to be chosen to represent Ohio counties at both the state and national levels.

And in a moment that reflects how things actually work—not in theory, but in practice—our new CCAO President, Denise Driehaus, appointed me to serve alongside her on the Executive Committee. Denise is a Democrat. I am a Republican. Neither of us gave it a second thought. This is how it should be. And more importantly, it’s how county government operates every single day across Ohio.

The national conversation can feel loud, angry, and discouraging. But this conference was a timely reminder that, on the ground, local government is still rooted in trust, humility, and partnership. We serve people, not parties. We solve problems, not score points. And when we do that, our communities are better for it.

I am deeply grateful for the confidence my constituents and my colleagues have placed in me to put the public’s interest first. It is a responsibility I take seriously, and a privilege to serve counties of every size and political makeup.

As we look ahead to 2026, I’m ready to link arms, stay focused on what matters, and continue working—together—to ensure every county in Ohio has what it needs to thrive. Challenges don’t have a party. And real solutions never will.