UC's Portman Center recognizes bipartisan policymaking
Inaugural awards honor senators who foster compromise, achieve results
U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, and Ben Cardin, D-MD, have been awarded the inaugural Sarah and Timothy Fogarty Award for Bipartisan Public Service.
The honor is conferred by the University of Cincinnati's Portman Center for Policy Solutions and recognizes one Republican and one Democratic office holder who exemplify the values of bi-partisan, solutions-oriented governance in their work both in Washington, D.C., and their respective states.
Senator Rob Portman speaks at the awards ceremony. Photo/Provided
“In an increasingly polarized time, the Portman Center wants to provide hope that compromise and bipartisanship are possible,” said Andrew Lewis, executive director. “One way we can do that is by elevating elected officials who are working to find common ground and find solutions.”
“Since the beginning, we have planned to recognize a Republican and Democratic official who exemplify these characteristics,” he said. “With this event, we have made that a reality, and we look forward to making it a tradition.”
Established in 2023, the Portman Center’s mission is to encourage civility and bipartisanship in U.S. politics. In addition to this annual recognition, the center supports student fellows and civic leadership development, public policy internships for students, workshops and trainings, research, and an annual symposium.
Meet the 2025 awardees
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Portman Center 2025 awardee Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Photo/Provided
Capito was first elected to the senate in 2014, and was re-elected to serve the state in 2020. She is the first female senator in West Virginia history, and was re-elected with more than 70 percent of the vote in all 55 counties. Through her bipartisan approach to leadership, Capito sought to restore order in a senate that had been stuck in gridlock.
“Senator Capito has worked with colleagues from both parties to address the opioid crisis, expand broadband capacity and promote access to healthy food,” said Lewis.
U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin
Portman Center 2025 awardee Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD). Photo/Provided
Cardin served as a senator from 2007 until his retirement this year. Prior to that, he served as a U.S. representative from 1987 to 2007, after serving in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 1987. In his 58 years as an elected official, Cardin never lost an election.
Throughout his career, Cardin was known for his civility and ability to foster compromise to get results. His exemplary work in office included working across the aisle to lead bipartisan, community-critical efforts in retirement reform, energy security, and affordable housing, said Lewis.
In addition to the senators, Mallika Desai, Ingrid Fretz and Louis Weiss were named the 2024-2025 Student Policy Challenge winners for their proposal “Community-Based Care: An Ohio Medicaid Value-Based Incentive Model.”
Proceeds from the event will support student public policy internships and co-ops, as the center plans to extend its reach in Washington D.C., Columbus and here in Cincinnati.
The event was sponsored by Cintas, GE Aerospace, Netherland Rubber Co., Altafiber, Fifth Third Bank, Kroger, Sarah and Timothy Fogarty and FC Cincinnati.
Find out more about UC’s Portman Center for Policy Solutions.
Featured image at top: 2025 Portman Center awardees Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Ben Cardin talk with Senator Rob Portman at the ceremony. Photo/Provided