Republican supports Senate candidate Tim Ryan for telling the truth and working hard

Ohio voters go to the polls in a few weeks to select their next U.S. senator. I’ve been a Republican all my life, and I’m supporting Democrat Tim Ryan.

My parents grew up in Akron and Bellville, Ohio, children of the Great Depression with the values of working hard, telling the truth and knowing who you are. When I had the chance to serve my country, first in the Congress and then in the White House, they always reminded me to remain true to my Midwestern values.

In witnessing the race for the U.S. Senate, I have watched J.D. Vance undermine those values by flip-flopping on his views of President Donald Trump, who said the 2020 election was stolen without having any evidence, and not working hard across the state to listen to voters so he can represent them.

Vance stated in 2016 that Trumpism was like “cultural heroin,” diminishing Trump, the Americans who supported him and the people who struggle with drug addiction. To win Trump’s favor and endorsement in his quest for power, Vance totally flipped his position, in a cynical move that called into question who Vance is and what he really believes. Vance said the presidential election was rigged. Trump won Ohio by 8 percentage points — is Vance suggesting the race was stolen in Ohio, too?

Even Trump diminished Vance’s reputation, acknowledging what Vance had done to win his favor. How quickly we can lose our integrity.

Ryan represents the Midwestern values my parents taught me growing up in Ohio. He knows who he is and what he stands for. He has repeatedly stated that he will not engage in the culture wars or undermine our faith in elections, the cornerstone of our democracy.

Ryan has worked hard all across the state to listen to voters and represent their concerns. He supports bringing manufacturing jobs to Ohio, training workers, boosting the educational outcomes of children, securing our borders and protecting our freedoms.

Ryan has even written an inspiring book about resurrecting that can-do American spirit. We could all use a dose of that in a state that invented human-powered flight, sent Ohioan John Glenn around the Earth, and enabled Ohioan Neil Armstrong to set foot on the moon.

We live in divided times, with families, neighbors, states and the nation torn apart by our toxic politics. America needs to dream again and solve our public challenges. To do that, we need people in public service who will represent us with solid values.

Ryan is such a leader, and I am proud to support him.

John M. Bridgeland is former chief of staff for U.S. Congressman (now U.S. Senator) Rob Portman, former director of the White House Domestic Policy Council for President George W. Bush, and executive chairman of an initiative that has brought together nine presidential centers and hundreds of leaders to renew American democracy.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Former Rob Portman staffer supports Tim Ryan for US Senate