John,

In my life of public service, I’ve tried to do one thing: Keep the Faith. Faith in our country. Faith in one another. Faith that even in unsettled times, we can look past what pulls us apart and focus instead on the principles that unite us, and maybe improve lives and provide hope in these fractious times.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’ve been blessed with experiences that range from the Ohio Senate and Congress to the Governor’s office and two runs for president. Rising from humble beginnings to those roles has given me a perspective on life that few get to see, and my time as an author, commentator, and in the financial industry has helped round it out. Through it all, I’ve tried to speak honestly, listen carefully, and look for ways to bring people together. And I keep searching for new ways to share a message of hope and common purpose.

That’s why I’ve joined Substack. I believe we need more spaces where people can come together, slow down, listen to others and think about what really matters.

I will use this tool to share reflections on the issues facing our country - sometimes politics, sometimes faith, sometimes just the human side of life. I want to explore how we can move forward with hope, fairness, and decency in these divided times.

You’ll hear directly from me without the noise, the spin, or the endless back-and-forth that too often dominates public debate. My hope is that it feels like a real conversation, one where it’s okay to say, “I hadn’t thought about it that way” or even, “You may be right.” At its best, it will lift you up, challenge you, and help us all remember what we share in common.