Lucas County was one of seven Ohio counties that selected Hillary Clinton. While the rest of our state saw red, Trump lost 38.7%-56% locally.
To our neighbors— Cuyahoga, Summit, Franklin, Athens, Hamilton and Mahoning— we’re with you. Well, at least some of us are.
So what to do we do? Do we watch it all burn? Do we donate to the causes we are scared to see crushed? Do we fight on social media with neighbors? Do we wait?
If we can’t agree on much, maybe we can agree on this: what a completely unpleasant election.
Despite anger, frustration and division, Lucas County stood out. We think it’s because Lucas County is a little different.
Lucas County has fighters and champions. We have blue-collar workers living next to creative professionals. Lucas County has a city that cares and continues to embolden the American values that everyone believes in: inclusivity, compassion, forward-thinking, collaboration, positivity and honor.
These values don’t have to change. Toledo is based on ideas like these, and it’s up to our community to make sure that these are the values continue that continue to define us.
Remember what President Obama advised:
“We’re all on the same team.”
Time to meet your neighbors.
Mike Kennedy 
51. Republican. Voted for Donald Trump.
How did you choose your candidate?
I decided pretty early because I was an advocate for change.
How did the results of the election make you feel?
I was pleased with the outcome, but I was displeased with all of the angst. I’m not a very political person outwardly, but inwardly it hurts me that all these people are so upset about it. At the end of the day, if anyone judged me for the things I’ve said in my life, they wouldn’t know me either. I was a little shocked by the results.
What are you hoping for in the next four years?
I’m hoping that 75% of what Donald Trump said in his acceptance speech comes true.
Table talk. Considering the results, will your family’s Thanksgiving dinner be tense?
Not in my family. Thankfully I don’t have a large dinner table, but I know there are family members I can’t talk about it with, you just can’t.
Jennifer Maenle
44. Democrat. Didn’t vote.
How did you choose your candidate?
[I didn’t]. No one sounded good, I just didn’t like any of the candidates. I couldn’t decide who to vote for so I just didn’t vote. I couldn’t pick one or the other and didn’t like the third party candidates.
How did the results of the election make you feel?
Sad. It was crazy. I knew that I would be unhappy any way this election.
What are you hoping for in the next four years?
I hope that maybe Trump, coming from a business aspect, might be able to do something good for this country.
Table talk. Considering the results, will your family’s Thanksgiving dinner be tense?
No, not in my family, we are just going to eat and enjoy each other. We are going to get green bean casserole and be happy. But really, we talk politics with each other but we don’t debate.
Mitch Buchan
24. Democrat. Voted for Clinton.
How did you choose your candidate?
My main reason is I just agreed with her more than Trump.
How did the results of the election make you feel?
Initially I was upset, but I was definitely shocked at first.
What are you hoping for in the next four years?
I’m just hoping he doesn’t fuck the country up.
Table talk. Considering the results, will your family’s Thanksgiving dinner be tense?
A bit, probably. My family is a lot of Trump supporters and they know I’m a Hillary supporter.
Jenn Simons
25. Democrat. Voted for Clinton.
How did you choose your candidate?
I decided when I first knew she was the nominee. Partially because I knew I supported her before she got the nomination. I was a Bernie supporter, but she got it and she was the best option. I like her policies more than I like Trump’s. I’m also all for lady power.
How did the results of the election make you feel?
Sad, very sad. I was very shocked, that whole night was kind of shocking and sad.
What are you hoping for in the next four years?
I’m hopeful that we are better to understand what our country wants and be respectful towards the people who didn’t vote for Trump and understand why they didn’t. I hope that he doesn’t mess everything up and that we eventually come around and be more socially progressive.
Table talk. Considering the results, will your family’s Thanksgiving dinner be tense?
Yes, I’m sure that most of my family voted Trump and we will do our best not to bring it up.
Want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment, or email [email protected] with your thoughts on the election.
