Retaining this team ensures constituents will continue to have an effective voice in Washington. These members have the intelligence and experience to help mend the nation after a contentious presidential election and deal with difficult budget decisions, social upheaval and foreign threats.

Portman, a Republican seeking his second term, has established an impressive track record, having gotten 45 bills signed into law. Of particular note is his leadership in combatting human trafficking and opioid addiction.

He uncovered the failure of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fully vet people given custody of immigrant children, some of whom ended up as slave laborers for Ohio egg farms. He has led congressional action against Backpage.com, obtaining an order from the U.S. Supreme Court for documents that will allow prosecutors throughout the country to go after these modern-day slavers.

And as the scourge of opioid addiction hit Ohio particularly hard, Portman got his Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act signed into law. It authorizes $181 million in additional spending for community programs effective at prevention, treatment and recovery for a disease that Portman notes “has no zip code.”

Portman has also been instrumental in bringing federal dollars to central Ohio and in cutting through bureaucracy for crucial projects such as Columbus’ futuristic Smart Cities technology and transportation grant and the renovation of the Downtown Scioto Mile riverfront.

It is disappointing that Portman has endorsed Donald Trump — Portman is honest, civil and unbigoted, all things Trump is not. Winning votes is a game of calculation and trade-offs, but we wish Portman had found a better way manage this dilemma. He does not lack fiber. This is the same man who had the courage to face a storm of abuse from fellow Republicans when, in 2013, he broke ranks to come out in favor of gay marriage.

Tiberi, R-Genoa Township, seeks a ninth term representing Ohio’s 12th District. He has distinguished himself as a moderate conservative. His membership on the House Ways and Means Committee and as vice-chair of the Joint Economic Committee make him one of the most powerful Ohioans in Congress. Tiberi has not endorsed Trump.

Stivers, R-Upper Arlington, who is seeking a fourth term in Ohio’s 15th District is another moderate Republican. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio State University and is a former state senator and a decorated soldier; he is a 30-year veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard. He has the experience, temperament and ability to get things done in Washington. He, like Portman, supports Trump, arguing that he does not want Hillary Clinton to be president.

Beatty, D-Jefferson Township, also has a knack for getting people to work together; indeed, she holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Beatty, who is seeking a third term, is a smart and formidable advocate for her 3rd Congressional District. She made a key speech in the the recent Democratic National Convention and is a supporter of Clinton. Her liberal voice offers some balance in central Ohio’s delegation and she tenaciously fights for her constituents.

The Dispatch urges voters to return Sen. Rob Portman and Reps. Steve Stivers, Pat Tiberi and Joyce Beatty to Congress.