WASHINGTON D.C., DC — It's an historic day in America as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have taken the oaths of office to become the next President and Vice President of the United States.
Ohio politicians from all around the state commemorated the groundbreaking day with messages of support for the incoming leaders.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released a statement on Wednesday morning, writing, "this is such an exciting --there is so much to celebrate today as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are inaugurated as our next president and vice president."
While celebrating the "exciting" day, Sen. Brown also mentioned the "broken promises" of President Trump.
"Their inauguration marks the end of the Trump Administration’s phony populism and broken promises and the beginning of new leadership committed to healing our country and building it back better so it works for everyone — not just those at the top."
Rep. Marcia Fudge from Cleveland tweeted out her thoughts on Wednesday morning, sharing words from the late Representative John Lewis.
"Today is a new day in America. I am reflecting on these words from my friend Congressman John Lewis: 'Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime,'" Fudge tweeted.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish released a statement after the inauguration, as well, expressing interest and hope in the days to come.
"It’s a new day in America and, quite frankly, the world. It’s a new day, but there is much work to be done. The pandemic has not abated, millions of people are without jobs and are on the verge of eviction or of losing their homes," Budish said in a statement. "Tens of thousands of businesses are closed or are in deep financial trouble. Our new president and vice-president have much work ahead of them."
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Democratic representative from Ohio's third district, tweeted "I'm ready. Are you? #InaugurationDay" with a picture in front of the Capitol.
“Inaugurations represent the peaceful transition of power that are a pillar of our nation’s democracy,” Congresswoman Joyce said later in a statement. “I’m proud to have now attended five presidential inaugurations, regardless of whether or not I voted for who was elected. While I did not vote for President Biden and Vice President Harris, I wish them nothing but the best because the fact of the matter is that their success is the American people’s success. We will not always agree on how to achieve that success, but I will always be willing to reach across the aisle with the respect and civility necessary for us to work together so that we can effectively tackle the challenges facing our country.”
Representative Marcy Kaptur, who represents Northwest Ohio, also tweeted out a picture from the Capitol alongside former Democratic National Committee Chair, Donna Brazile.
"Beautiful day for an #Inauguration with my friend @donnabrazile," Kaptur wrote.
Rep. Kaptur also released a statement just following the swearing-in of Vice President Harris and President Biden, calling the day "cause for so much hope."
“Today, the American experiment endures,” said Rep. Kaptur. “Nothing speaks to the health of democracy as clearly as the inauguration of a new President. The inauguration of President Joe Biden as our 46th President and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of color in history to be elected to the office, is cause for so much hope. The American people sought a new course for our country, a helping hand as they struggle to regain their footing from a worldwide pandemic. With their swearing in, President Biden and Vice President Harris bring anew to the Capital the hopes and dreams of all Americans that our great nation may meet its full promise. I look forward to working closely with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to achieve great successes for the people of Ohio and the nation – they deserve nothing less.”
Rep. Tim Ryan also shared a picture from Washington D.C., calling Inauguration Day "gameday."
Ryan released a statement following the inauguration on Wednesday, writing "today I am honored to join President Biden as he begins the hard work of leadership in spite of so many challenges we face together as Americans, and I proudly welcome our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris."
“With today’s Inauguration, we look forward with clear eyes about the important work ahead. But we may also look forward with hope in our hearts that our best days as a country are still to come. The United States can achieve anything when we put aside our differences and work together for the common good," Rep. Ryan continued. "It is time for our nation to come together—both Democrats and Republicans—to tackle the immense and unprecedented challenges our nation faces. I look forward to this new chapter in America.”
Republican Representative Dave Joyce tweeted out on Tuesday a picture in front of the Capitol, announcing that he would attend the inauguration, despite not sharing a party with the incoming Commander in Chief.
"I have proudly attended four presidential inaugurations regardless of whether or not I voted for who was elected," Rep. Joyce wrote. "As someone who considers it an honor & a privilege to witness a peaceful transition of power - a pillar of our democracy - I will be attending tmrw's inauguration."
