Opinion: The Choice Now Belongs to the Voters

With early voting beginning this week, most — if not all — voters have already made their decisions about who they believe should become Columbus' 71st mayor, who should represent District 7 on the Columbus City Council, and who should serve as the next District 9 At-Large council representative.

What remains is not persuasion, but participation.

Having lived in Columbus for 35 years, I can say without hesitation that this has been one of the most divisive and, at times, racially charged election cycles I have witnessed. Healthy political debate is an essential part of democracy. Differences of opinion are expected. However, the volume of misinformation, half-truths, personal attacks, and outright falsehoods directed at candidates throughout this campaign has been troubling.

Elections should be contests of ideas, vision, leadership, and qualifications. Instead, too often this cycle has been marked by efforts to divide rather than unite, to inflame rather than inform, and to distract voters from the issues that truly matter to the future of our city.

That reality makes the role of community journalism more important than ever.

As publisher of the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper, I have long believed that the true calling of a newspaper is not simply to report the news, but to inform, challenge, and, when necessary, take a stand for the betterment of the community it serves.

Editorial endorsements are not acts of partisanship. They are the result of observation, research, direct engagement with candidates, participation in public forums, and years of experience covering the issues affecting our community. They represent thoughtful analysis intended to help readers navigate complex decisions.

Newspapers that avoid endorsements in the name of neutrality often miss an opportunity to elevate public discourse and provide meaningful guidance. Our responsibility is not merely to present information, but to help readers make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Throughout the 2026 election cycle, the Courier Eco Latino has remained committed to that responsibility. As a bilingual publication serving Black and Brown communities throughout Columbus, Phenix City, and the surrounding region, we have worked diligently to provide voters with access to information, candidate forums, interviews, and community discussions. In partnership with Davis Broadcasting Inc., we have helped create opportunities for voters to hear directly from those seeking public office.

Our endorsements are based on candidates' performance during those forums, their willingness to engage with the community, their policy positions, their demonstrated leadership, and their commitment to addressing the challenges facing our city.

Reasonable people may disagree with our conclusions, and that is perfectly acceptable. Democracy thrives when citizens think for themselves. But regardless of which candidates ultimately prevail on June 16, our hope is that voters will participate, remain informed, and continue holding elected officials accountable long after the campaign signs have disappeared.

The future of Columbus will not be determined by endorsements, social media posts, or campaign rhetoric. It will be determined by the people who take the time to vote.