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,a position he assumed in 2024 after previously serving as city commissioner and assistant mayor. A Republican,he has focused on policies to attract jobs and development to Springfield,advocated for budget restraint,and publicly addressed local tensions surrounding immigration and city resources,gaining national attention during the Springfield pet-eating hoax and the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
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,Rue began his public service career as a city commissioner in Springfield. [1] [3] During his time in this role,he developed a reputation as a centrist willing to support policies beyond traditional conservative positions. [3] Rue is a Republican. [4] He voted to add protections for LGBTQ residents to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance,stating that he believed residents should not face discrimination based on their lifestyles. [3] Rue focused on attracting jobs and people to Springfield. [1] He advocated for making the city more welcoming to businesses and new development. [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. [5] In January 2022,Rue was named the assistant mayor. [6]
In November 2023,Rue ran unopposed for the role of mayor,following the early resignation of longtime mayor Warren Copeland. [3] Copeland,who had served Springfield for over two decades, [7] stepped down amid health concerns and increasing public discontent,particularly surrounding the influx of immigrants into the area. [5] Rue formally took office as mayor later that month,after winning the election. [3] He began his term as mayor during the regularly scheduled commission meeting on January 2,2024. [5] Springfield’s city structure classifies the mayor’s position as part-time,with operational responsibilities largely managed by a city manager. [3] Rue's role as mayor,therefore,comes with an annual salary of under $15,000. [3]
In January 2024,Rue emphasized that Springfield now has its first majority female commission and one of its most generationally diverse leadership teams. [8] 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. [8] Rue faced rising tensions associated with the arrival of Haitian immigrants who had taken entry-level jobs in the local manufacturing sector,reversing decades of population decline but placing additional demands on Springfield’s public services,including health clinics,schools,and housing. [3] [9]
In 2024,the city attracted national attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump made unsubstantiated claims that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were responsible for abducting household pets. [3] Rue sought to counter these claims,appearing on national news to clarify the situation and to reassure the community. [3] [9] During the Springfield pet-eating hoax,Rue declared a state of emergency for Springfield,allowing the city to allocate additional security resources in response to the heightened attention and potential for unrest. [3] He made multiple media appearances with city manager Bryan Heck,including on Fox &Friends ,where they discussed the strain on city resources and requested additional support from the federal government. [3] Rue also publicly addressed and managed contentious city commission meetings,at one point removing a neo-Nazi group leader after the individual urged the city to turn away Haitian immigrants,citing city regulations prohibiting threatening speech at meetings. [3] Rue’s approach to handling the political and social issues surrounding immigration in Springfield led to increased public visibility,both locally and nationally. [3] He has reported receiving threats directed toward himself and his family as a result of his public stance and decisions. [3]