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Mandel to raise funds at event in Salem
SALEM
Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican, is to attend a private event at noon today at the Salem Golf Club to raise money for his likely entry into the 2012 U.S. Senate race.
About 40 to 50 people, including area political and business leaders, will be there, said Dave Johnson, the Columbiana County Republican Party chairman, who is co-hosting the event.
Tickets range from $250 to $5,000.
“Josh is getting a lot of support [for U.S. Senate] because of the terrific campaign he ran for treasurer,” Johnson said.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is running next year for his second six-year term.
There are four declared Republican candidates with former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin the most notable.
“Josh’s No. 1 priority is running a superb treasurer’s office, and he’s doing that,” said Anthony Conchel, Mandel’s campaign spokesman.
“He’s already making a difference in cutting spending and protecting taxpayers’ dollars. As he hears from people in the Mahoning Valley and around the state, they are frustrated by the career politicians in Washington, D.C., who are borrowing and spending like there’s no tomorrow. People have been very encouraging to Josh, saying we cannot wait another six years before we bring fiscal responsibility back to Ohio and America,” Conchel said.
Mandel, who’s served as Ohio treasurer for less than six months, filed a statement of candidacy in April with the Federal Election Commission.
Though Mandel hasn’t officially declared his candidacy, that hasn’t stopped him from not just traveling throughout Ohio, but all over the country raising money.
The Ohio Democratic Party released a video Monday mocking Mandel for his national fund-raising events and for likely running for Senate shortly after his treasurer victory.
“Josh Mandel is intentionally neglecting the job Ohioans asked him to do just a few short months ago and his claim that he’s focused on the treasurer’s office is both laughable and insulting,” said Justin Barasky, an Ohio Democratic Party spokesman.
Johnson said Mandel is considering a Senate run because he’s “been encouraged by party leaders around the state” to do so.
Today’s event is closed to the media.
“It’s a private affair,” Johnson said. “The idea in the early stage of the campaign is to privately raise money. This is seed money.”