Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel landed additional support Tuesday for his campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate with an endorsement by Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman.
The endorsement was announced Tuesday by Mr. Mandel's campaign. It could help in Mr. Mandel's claim for the Republican nomination for the Senate, for which he is competing against former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls.
The Mandel campaign announced that Mr. Portman said, "Josh is a solid leader who understands that Washington needs to focus on jobs and the economy. I've been helping him and will continue to support his campaign to bring jobs to Ohio and more fiscal conservatives to Washington."
In the Mandel campaign's news release, Mr. Mandel said, "I am honored that, after looking at my record as a city councilman, state legislator, state treasurer and U.S. Marine, Senator Portman has chosen to endorse me and our call for fiscally responsible, pro-growth policies in Washington. I share Senator Portman's belief that just as small businesses and families throughout Ohio are tightening their belts -- so should government."
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Urbana) reportedly was interested in running against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D, Ohio). However, Jordan spokesman Meghan Snyder said Tuesday that Mr. Jordan will not enter the U.S. Senate rate.
Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Justin Barasky commented on the endorsement by saying that Mr. Mandel had just "viciously attacked" Senator Portman.
Mr. Barasky quoted a letter to the editor in The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer Tuesday by Mr. Mandel in which he said Senator Brown's votes for the debt-ceiling limit bill and against the "cut, cap, and balance" bill were "harmful" and "out of touch," and that they contributed to the turmoil in the stock market and the lowering of the national credit rating. Mr. Barasky said Mr. Portman also voted for the debt-limit package of future spending cuts and an increase in national borrowing authority.
"Josh Mandel's irresponsible attack on Senator Portman is an unfortunate attempt at playing politics with Ohio's economy and more evidence that he's willing to do or say anything to jump to his next job," Mr. Barasky said.
Unlike Mr. Brown, Mr. Portman voted for the cut, cap, and balance legislation that would have started the process for a balanced budget Constitutional amendment.
A Portman spokesman said the senator and Mr. Mandel both supported the cut, cap, and balance bill because it would have brought about a balanced budget and spending restraint.
Contract Tom Troy at: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.