Cleveland banker joins race for US Senate
Investment banker Mike Gibbons announced Wednesday he will run in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.
Republican state Treasurer Josh Mandel already has declared his candidacy, and Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown currently is unopposed in seeking a third term.
Gibbons, 64, of Cleveland, is touting his business experience and says that as senator, he’d be a job creator.
“Politicians don’t create jobs,” his campaign website says. “Politicians have undermined our ability to create jobs.
“My experience is in the real world. I’ve signed both the front and back of paychecks. I understand what it means to take risks, work hard, balance your books, create jobs, and build businesses.”
Mandel lost a bid to unseat Brown in 2012. In the past weeks he’s chalked up endorsements from Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida and others.
Gibbons’ general consultant said that despite Mandel’s head start, Gibbons has a shot at the GOP nomination next year.
“He’s not a politician — he hasn’t run for office before,” the consultant, Michael Biundo, said. “But he obviously thinks he’s the best man for the job in this race.”
On his website, Gibbons said he wants to clear government red tape.
“Right now, Washington needs to get out of the way and let businesses create good, high-paying jobs so the hard-working men and women of Ohio can take care of their families and fuel our economy,” he said.