Mandel gains Jordan backing in Senate run

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has gained another high-profile endorsement for his Senate campaign Monday, this one from a congressman who was considering running for the same seat.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R., Urbana) said he was backing Mr. Mandel because of his leadership as state treasurer and his commitment to restoring fiscal sanity to government.

Mr. Mandel, a former state lawmaker from Cuyahoga County, became state treasurer in January and is now running for the U.S. Senate seat held by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio). Mr. Mandel is seeking the Republican nomination against former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls.

Mr. Jordan, whose Congressional district includes the northwest Ohio counties of Hancock and Allen, was pushed by some to run for the seat but decided against it. He was a leader in the effort to require a balanced federal budget, which passed in the House but failed in the Senate.

“Josh understands that the federal government should balance its budget just like families and small businesses have to do every day – just as Josh did as State Treasurer,” Mr. Jordan said.

Mr. Mandel said he ended the fiscal year with a $400,000 surplus in the Treasurer’s office and reduced general revenue fund operating expenses by $1.2 million over the next two years.