As leaders of the Democratic and Republican Executive Committees here in Hardy County, we do not always agree on policies or priorities. But we both believe that, at our core, we share something deeper: a love for our community, our state, and our country.
In the wake of the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, and the surge of heated rhetoric that has followed, we feel it is important to speak together with one voice. Our country cannot endure if we lose the ability to disagree without demeaning, to debate without dehumanizing, and to listen without assuming the worst in one another.
We all believe in America as a place where freedom of speech is protected, where every person gets a fair shake, and where all of us – regardless of party, background, or belief – have the opportunity to pursue happiness and live a life with dignity. We share a commitment to a nation where no one has to live in fear of their government, or of their neighbors, because of their political views.
And despite the divides, there is far more that unites us than divides us. Republicans and Democrats alike want safe neighborhoods, strong schools, and opportunities for our children to thrive. We want a healthy economy where hard work is rewarded. We want to honor those who serve in uniform, from our military to our first responders. We want a government and corporations that are accountable to the people, not the other way around. Above all, we want mutual respect from one another and the ability to live together in harmony.
We will never agree on every solution to achieve those goals, but we can agree that our community – and our democracy – suffers when our disagreements are poisoned by political violence. But, turning down the temperature of our rhetoric does not mean giving up our convictions. It means remembering that the people we debate with are still our fellow Americans, our neighbors, and often our friends.
This moment calls for local, state, and national leadership that heals instead of wounds. It calls for courage not just to stand up for what we believe, but to stand together for the principles we all hold dear: freedom, fairness, and respect. And it calls for the clear acknowledgement that no life should ever be taken away because of differing viewpoints.
We ask everyone in Hardy County and across West Virginia to join us in that spirit. Speak passionately, but with respect. Stand firm in your beliefs, but remember that those on the other side of the aisle are also striving, for the good of our country and to live the best lives they can. Let us show the rest of the nation that Hardy County can be a model for what it means to live, work, and thrive together – even in disagreement.
Our country’s strength has always come from its ability to hold together people with many differences under one flag. Let’s not forget that. Together, let’s prove that our shared love of Hardy County, West Virginia, and of America are stronger than any political divide.
– Sherri Hof (Chair, Hardy Co. Republican Exec. Committee)
– John Rosato (Chair, Hardy Co. Democratic Exec. Committee)
