Mandel’s exit roils Senate race
Republican sources say both Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci are taking a hard look at replacing Josh Mandel in the GOP quest to unseat Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown this year.
And Mike Gibbons, a longshot but wealthy candidate already in the GOP competition, almost immediately pledged $5 million of his own money in a presumed attempt to ward off additional competitors joining the race before the Feb. 7 filing deadline.
Mandel stunned even political
insiders Friday afternoon by abruptly dropping out of the Senate contest, citing an unspecified health ailment his wife is battling.
“Understanding and dealing with this health issue is more important to me than any political campaign,” he said in an email. “For as long as that takes, whether it is months or years, it is important that I heed my dad’s advice and be there for my wife and our kids.
“After recent discussions with our family and healthcare professionals, it has become clear to us that it’s no longer possible for me to be away from home and on the campaign trail for the time needed to run a US Senate race.”
Mandel, who said he will serve out his term as treasurer this year, lost to Brown in 2012. The probable rematch already was drawing national attention.
Ohio native Kyle Kondik, managing editor of the newsletter Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Mandel’s withdrawal throws the Republican race “into chaos.”
“It’s a stunner. It’s a tough assignment to take on Sherrod Brown. Mandel has been really running for this job for years now, ever since he ran the last time,” Kondik said.
“I don’t know if Gibbons is really strong enough to push out other potential contenders.”
One of the GOP officials told The Dispatch that “Renacci and Taylor are considering” leaving the three-way Republican fray for Ohio governor in favor of the Senate race.
Another senior Ohio Republican official said there “already are efforts to help clear the gubernatorial primary by encouraging Mary and Jim to enter the Senate race.”
“Statewide (county GOP) chairmen are going to have to figure out who they’re going to support for this seat — is it going to be Gibbons or someone who comes into the fray?” said Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party. “You have a vacuum in the race.”
Taylor was receiving calls from some Republicans asking about her interest in the race, her campaign spokesman said Friday. He declined to confirm that he told a National Journal reporter that Taylor “would certainly” consider running for the Senate.
A spokeswoman for Renacci said his campaign had no comment. During an appearance Friday afternoon, however, the Wadsworth Republican told the Newark Advocate: “I haven’t even thought about it yet. I haven’t even talked to any of my family about any of that. I’m continuing to run for the governor of the state of Ohio.” Renacci has emphasized his distaste for Washington during his gubernatorial campaign.
A spokesman for the gubernatorial ticket of Attorney General Mike DeWine and Jon Husted said the secretary of state has no interest in the Senate and will remain DeWine’s running mate.
Mandel’s stunner leaves Gibbons, Donald Elijah Eckart and Melissa Ackison in the GOP race for now.
Gibbons, a political newcomer who has won the support of some groups — including the Franklin County GOP Central Committee — expressed best wishes for Mandel.
“Our prayers go out to Josh, his wife and family,” he said in an email. “Diane and I are hoping for the very best for them.
“For months we have been laying the groundwork to defeat Sherrod Brown in November with one of the strongest grassroots organizations of any outsider in Ohio. Now is the time for Republicans to unite as one so we can defeat Sherrod Brown. As a conservative outsider, no one is better positioned to end careerpolitician Sherrod Brown’s career than I am.”
A Gibbons campaign memo late Friday afternoon cited federal ethics filings listing his net worth at between $50 million and $100 million — possibly implying that he could provide even more than the pledged $5 million.
The memo also listed Ohio GOP endorsements that he’s locked up and cited consultants he’s hired who have worked for Republicans such as President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Todd Young of Indiana and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.
Ackison also expressed her sympathy.
“I’ve reached out to Mr. Mandel offering prayer during such a difficult time,” she said in an email. “Regardless of who your choice candidate is or what your political affiliation is, everyone deserves compassion and prayer when facing struggle, and that’s my intention for his family. I will continue to push forward to victory and look forward to serving as Ohio’s next senator.”
In a statement, a Brown campaign spokesman said: “At this time, we wish Josh, Ilana and their family the best of health. We hope for Ilana’s full and speedy recovery.”
The hard part for any late GOP entrant, Stainbrook and others noted, is that the political calendar is very late, and Brown already had $8.3 million in the bank as of Sept. 30. Mandel had $4.1 million (which he cannot simply give to another candidate) and Gibbons had $638,000. While Renacci and Taylor have campaign organizations in place, they could not transfer their campaign money to a Senate race — although Renacci has broached the prospect of using several million from his personal funds for his campaign.