Josh Mandel will seek state treasurer’s post

COLUMBUS — A Republican state lawmaker from the Cleveland area has announced he will run for state treasurer.

Rep. Josh Mandel notified supporters of his decision via a video posted on the Internet, then had a press conference with Statehouse reporters later in the day.

Mandel, 31, was a Lyndhurst city councilman prior to being elected to the Ohio House in 2006. He is an Ohio State University graduate and holds a law degree from Case Western Reserve University.

Mandel served eight years as an intelligence specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He did two tours of duty in Iraq.

“I’m planning to bring energy and fresh ideas to the office [of state treasurer],” he said. “I think through using e-mail and the Internet and ... new media, we can make people’s dollars go farther and we can be better watchdogs....”

The treasurer manages billions of dollars in state assets. The office is responsible for collecting state taxes and fees and overseeing investments of those funds.

The office is currently held by Kevin Boyce, a former Columbus city councilman who was appointed earlier this year by Gov. Ted Strickland, taking the place of Richard Cordray, who in November was elected attorney general.