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Columbus Mayor Ginther joins Bibb in new Blue Cities coalition
Read the full articleColumbus Mayor Andrew Ginther joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in the new 15-city Blue Cities/Red States coalition focused on public safety, housing, and growth. Ahead of an Oct. 12 kickoff in Miami, the center-left group seeks to defend municipal home rule against state preemption.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
Supporting evidence (7)
The coalition, named Blue Cities/Red States, is chaired by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and includes an initial cohort of 15 mayors, according to national reporting by ABC News on Oct. 3, 2026.
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A group of 15 Democratic mayors governing in Republican-dominated states are building a new political operation that aims to influence national politics as a center-left alternative to both the MAGA movement and what they describe as "far-left dysfunction" from groups like the Democratic Socialists of America.
The group is scheduled to hold a kickoff event on Monday, Oct. 12, in Miami, hosted by Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins.
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The organization -- Blue Cities/Red States -- is led by Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and will launch next week in Miami with a kickoff event hosted by its mayor, Eileen Higgins.
The coalition's organizers describe the effort as a pragmatic, center-left initiative intended to bridge urban-rural political divides and counter two competing political pressures: conservative state legislatures curtailing municipal authority and what organizers term far-left policy positions, according to reporting by ABC News.
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A group of 15 Democratic mayors governing in Republican-dominated states are building a new political operation that aims to influence national politics as a center-left alternative to both the MAGA movement and what they describe as "far-left dysfunction" from groups like the Democratic Socialists of America.
"As Democrats talk about closing the credibility gap, these 15 mayors have been closing that gap in their cities -- without the cover of a Democratic governor or a Democratic-led legislature," Bibb said in remarks reported by ABC News.
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"As Democrats talk about closing the credibility gap, these 15 mayors have been closing that gap in their cities -- without the cover of a Democratic governor or a Democratic-led legislature," Bibb said.
"Working for a more united states is a core theme of Blue Cities/Red States, and we do this by pushing back against extremism and promoting a more practical brand of leadership that focuses on results over rhetoric," Higgins said.
The coalition announced plans to establish a permanent national operational footprint heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles, incorporating dedicated fundraising, message polling, and paid media operations.
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The group plans to have a permanent national platform, fundraising and organizational infrastructure, polling and message testing, and a national paid-media strategy heading into the 2026 and 2028 cycles, according to the memo.
We know what this next Congress should be focused on to address cost and affordability, to address public safety," Bibb said.
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"We want to influence the next speaker, and the next Congress, and the next president. We know what this next Congress should be focused on to address cost and affordability, to address public safety," Bibb said.
https://bluecitiesredstates.org/
Supporting evidence (4)
In its foundational materials, the coalition stated that state legislative infringements on city administration are expanding across policy arenas including public safety, immigration, housing regulations, and civil equality.
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Infringements on blue city governments from state legislatures are increasing every year – on everything from safety and security and immigration to housing and equality – slowing or even stopping Mayors’ progress on issues unique to their communities.
Ohio holds substantial presence within the 15-member founding roster, with Bibb serving as coalition chair and Ginther representing Columbus.
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Chair: Justin Bibb Mayor of Cleveland, OH
Ohio holds substantial presence within the 15-member founding roster, with Bibb serving as coalition chair and Ginther representing Columbus.
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Andrew Ginther Mayor of Columbus, OH
The coalition's published materials highlight joint crime-reduction initiatives between Bibb and Republican Ohio Gov.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb update results of crime reduction partnership
Supporting evidence (1)
In Central Ohio, reports detailing Ginther's entry into the coalition began circulating across local community and social forums, including r/Columbus, on Wednesday, Oct. 7, drawing resident attention to the city's role in national political realignment.
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Democratic mayors, including Ginther, in red states launch new group to counter MAGA and far-left extremes