Rob Rue
Rob Rue | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Springfield, Ohio | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Warren Copeland |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Heidelberg University Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science |
Rob Rue is an American politician serving as the mayor of Springfield, Ohio since 2024. He was previously the assistant mayor from 2022 to 2023 and a city commissioner from 2018 to 2023.
Life
Rue grew up in Springfield, Ohio and graduated from North High School in 1988.[1][2] He earned a B.A. in business administration from Heidelberg University and a Bachelor of Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.[2] Rue is the co-owner of Littleton and Rue Funeral Home and Crematory in Springfield.[1]
In 2017, he was elected to serve on the Springfield City Commission.[1] As a city commissioner, Rue focused on attracting jobs and people to Springfield.[1] He advocated for making the city more welcoming to businesses and new development.[1] Rue supported adding sexual orientation to the city's non-discrimination ordinance.[1] He opposed reinstating red light cameras in Springfield.[1] Rue opposed renewing a temporary 0.4% income tax increase passed in 2017.[1] He pledged to keep the tax increase temporary if elected and advocated for budget cuts instead of further tax increases.[1] During his tenure, he represented the city on several boards, including the Clark County Land Bank and the National Trails Parks and Recreation District.[3] In January 2022, Rue was named the assistant mayor.[4]
In September 2023, Rue was sworn in as mayor-elect of Springfield, following the retirement of former mayor Warren Copeland, who stepped down due to health reasons.[3] Rue began his term as mayor during the regularly scheduled commission meeting on January 2, 2024.[3] He emphasized that Springfield now has its first majority female commission and one of its most generationally diverse leadership teams.[5] At his swearing in ceremony, addressed challenges related to Springfield’s growing immigrant population, pledging efforts to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all residents.[5] Rue is a Republican.[6]
During the Springfield, Ohio, cat-eating hoax in 2024, Rue addressed challenges related to the recent increase in the city's Haitian immigrant population, which has placed pressure on local resources.[7] Amid heightened tensions and public debate, he called for cooperation and support to manage the situation, while expressing concern over safety and community unity.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cooper, Michael (October 13, 2017). "Rue wants to reverse population loss, make Springfield more attractive". springfield-news-sun. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ a b "Our Staff - Our Commitment to the Community - Help Is Here". www.littletonandrue.com. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ a b c Schrock, Jeffery (2023-11-14). "Rob Rue sworn in as Springfield mayor-elect". WKEF. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Dawes, Sydney (December 9, 2022). "Longtime Springfield mayor not running for re-election: 'Time for someone else to lead'". springfield-news-sun. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ a b Forrest, Vicky (January 4, 2024). "New faces, new roles in Springfield: Mayor says city must stand united". springfield-news-sun. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
- ^ Wise, John P. (2024-09-16). "Ohio Gov. DeWine says 33 bomb threats have been made in recent days, all hoaxes". KEYE. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ a b Jordan, Miriam (September 12, 2024). "After Bomb Threats and Political Vitriol, Ohio Mayor Says Enough". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-09-15.