Josh Mandel (R-OH-Senate)

Josh Mandel Candidate for Senate from Ohio

Biography of Josh Mandel

Biography from Citizens for Josh Mandel

Josh Mandel is the 48th Treasurer of the State of Ohio, having been elected as the top vote-getter of all statewide executive candidates, winning 80 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Treasurer Mandel is a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq and served as State Representative from the 17th Ohio House District. He was first elected State Representative in 2006, knocking on 19,679 doors and wearing out three pairs of shoes. In 2008 he was re-elected to a second term, representing a district with a 2:1 Democrat to Republican voter ratio.

While in the Legislature, Treasurer Mandel served as the Ranking Member of the Financial Institutions, Real Estate and Securities Committee, and dealt with issues concerning banks, investment firms, pension funds and other financial matters. Previously, as a member of the House Insurance Committee, he participated in the reconstruction of investment oversight for the multi-billion dollar Bureau of Workers’ Compensation investment fund. Additionally, Treasurer Mandel has been a leader in the area of energy policy, advocating for exploration of Ohio’s natural resources, and having served as Vice-Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee.

During his four years in the Legislature, Treasurer Mandel devoted a significant amount of energy toward the issues of restoring fiscal discipline, expanding school choice, improving the state’s business climate through free market principles, and protecting family values and The Constitution. Due to his leadership on these and other issues, Treasurer Mandel was given the “Legislative Courage Award” by Moms for Ohio, named legislative “Rookie of the Year” by the non-partisan Columbus Monthly Magazine and “Watchdog of the Treasury” by the United Conservatives of Ohio.

Treasurer Mandel’s previous elected experience includes service as a Lyndhurst City Councilman, where he was elected in 2003 with more votes than any candidate for Council or Mayor. As Councilman, Treasurer Mandel served on the Finance Committee, dealing with issues including long-term fiscal forecasting, investment strategy and bond-rating protections. Additionally, Treasurer Mandel introduced and led the fight for the first municipal property tax rollback in Lyndhurst history, which currently remains one of the only municipal property tax rollbacks in Ohio history.

Inspired by a strong sense of duty to country, Treasurer Mandel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 2000, where he graduated first in his class from Marine Corps Boot Camp and first in his class from Marine Corps Intelligence School. His Marine Corps career spanned eight years, including two tours in Anbar Province, Iraq as an Intelligence Specialist. During both tours he was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for “superior performance of his duties.”

Treasurer Mandel holds a Bachelor Degree from The Ohio State University and a Law Degree from Case Western Reserve University.  He and his wife Ilana reside in northeast Ohio.