Ohio Dems question timing of treasurer’s bid for U.S. Senate

4/12/2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Democrats are criticizing Ohio Republican Josh Mandel (man-DEHL’) for entering the race for U.S. Senate just three months after taking office as state treasurer.

The party distributed a video to supporters and journalists Tuesday in which then-candidate Mandel pledged during last year’s campaign to spend at least four years as treasurer if elected. The party said changing that plan is like breaking a promise to voters.

Mandel, who’s 33, did not immediately return a call for comment. He seeks the GOP nomination to face Democrat Sherrod Brown in November 2012.

Two sitting Democratic state officeholders ran for U.S. Senate the last time around. Then-Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and then-Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (BROO’-nur) were about two years into those jobs when they entered the race.