Josh Mandel

{{Short description|American politician (born 1977)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Use American English| date=April 2026}} {{For|the video game designer|Josh Mandel (video game designer)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Josh Mandel | image = Josh Mandel.jpg | caption = Mandel in 2012 | office = Treasurer of Ohio | governor = John Kasich | term_start = January 10, 2011 | term_end = January 14, 2019 | predecessor = Kevin Boyce | successor = Robert Sprague | state_house1 = Ohio | district1 = 17th | term_start1 = January 1, 2007 | term_end1 = January 1, 2011 | predecessor1 = Jim Trakas | successor1 = Marlene Anielski | birth_name = Joshua Aaron Mandel | birth_date = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1977|9|27}}}} | birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = {{ubl|{{marriage|Ilana Shafran|2008|2020|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Alyssa Strayer|2025}}}} | children = 3 | education = Ohio State University (BA)<br />Case Western Reserve University (JD) | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = 20px|United States Marine Corps Reserve seal Marine Corps Reserve | service_years = 2000–2008 | rank = 15px Sergeant | battles = Iraq War | alt = Mandel in 2012 }} '''Joshua Aaron Mandel''' (born September 27, 1977) is an American politician who served as the treasurer of Ohio from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he previously was the Ohio state representative for the 17th district from 2007 to 2011. He was the unsuccessful Republican challenger to Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in the 2012 U.S. Senate election.

In 2016, Mandel announced his intention to challenge Brown again in 2018, but later withdrew from the race. In 2022, he ran again for the Senate, but lost the primary election to future Vice President JD Vance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/03/us/ohio-indiana-primary-election|title=J.D. Vance Wins Republican Senate Primary in Ohio|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 3, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref> Mandel has been characterized as far-right.<ref> *{{Cite news |date=12 November 2021 |title=Ohio GOP Senate candidate questions Jewish faith of frontrunner |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/ohio-gop-senate-candidate-questions-jewish-faith-of-frontrunner-684817 |access-date=12 November 2021 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} *{{Cite news |last=Kampeas |first=Ron |date=11 November 2021 |title=Josh Mandel is running for Senate again — this time as a far-right leader who promotes 'Judeo-Christian' values |url=https://www.jta.org/2021/11/11/politics/josh-mandel-is-running-for-a-senate-seat-again-this-time-as-a-far-right-leader-who-promotes-judeo-christian-values |access-date=12 November 2021 |agency=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}} *{{Cite news |last=Gabriel |first=Trip |date=January 28, 2022 |title=Political Theater on an Ohio Debate Stage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/01/28/us/politics/mandel-harper-ohio-senate-debate.html |access-date=February 3, 2022 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} *{{Cite news |last=Skalka |first=Liz |date=February 3, 2022 |title=Josh Mandel May Be Trolling The GOP. He's Probably Ohio's Next Senator. |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/josh-mandel-ohio-senate-race-gop_n_61f56119e4b0061af25f7206 |access-date=February 3, 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} *{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2022 |title=Pro-Trump Ohio candidates realize endorsement may never come |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-donald-trump-jd-vance-barack-obama-rob-portman-1adcc3dcceb42e0f1119f196a56f88df |access-date=April 4, 2022 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Mandel was born on September 27, 1977, in Cleveland, Ohio, to a Jewish family, the son of Rita (née Friedman) and Bruce Mandel.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/beachwood/index.ssf/2012/01/ohio_treasurer_josh_mandel_spe.html |title=Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel speaks on citizenship at Hilltop Elementary School in Beachwood |work=The Plain Dealer |date=January 19, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mazel Tov|url=http://www.greenroadsynagogue.org/bulletins/5768/Elul-5768.pdf|publisher=Green Road Synagogue|date=September 2008|access-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001505/http://www.greenroadsynagogue.org/bulletins/5768/Elul-5768.pdf|archive-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/archives/article_92518772-50ba-583b-8df5-170ac45a5c62.html |title=Duber-Mandel |work=Cleveland Jewish News |date=February 13, 2009 |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> His maternal grandfather, Joe, emigrated from Poland and was a Holocaust survivor, while his maternal grandmother, Fernanda, was originally from Italy and was hidden from the Nazis by Christian families during World War II.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Alan |last=Johnson |title=Military veterans Mandel, Pillich square off in Ohio treasurer's race |newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20140924/NEWS/309249943}}</ref> Mandel has a sister, Rachel.

He attended Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio, where he played football and served as the team's quarterback.<ref name="PD Oct 19, 2010">{{cite news|title=Experience as a Marine frames Josh Mandel's candidacy for Ohio treasurer|first=Joe |last=Guillen|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/10/experience_as_a_marine_frames.html|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=October 19, 2010|access-date=May 19, 2011}}</ref>

Mandel later attended Ohio State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree. While at Ohio State, he served two terms as president of the undergraduate student government. After graduating in 2000, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Benjamin |last=Lanka |title=Ohio treasurer's race full of disdain |website=The Enquirer |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/11/03/ohio-treasurers-race-full-disdain/18403021/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Economy is 'No. 1 priority' for Josh Mandel |date=September 24, 2012 |website=The Lantern |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2012/09/economy-is-no-1-priority-for-josh-mandel/}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Military service === Mandel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, where he served eight years as an intelligence specialist. His first tour was from February to November 2004, during which he was attached to a light armored reconnaissance battalion. He left for his second tour in September 2007. Attached to an infantry battalion, Mandel served in the city of Haditha.<ref name="PD Oct 19, 2010" />

===Lyndhurst city council=== Mandel was elected to the Lyndhurst, Ohio, city council in 2003. He was on the council's finance committee.

In January 2005, Mandel sent a letter to Lyndhurst residents, proposing a one-time tax rebate of $400, paying the postage for the letters from his campaign fund.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lyndhurst-oh.com/prevsite/agendas_and_minutes_q1_2005.html | title=Q1 2005 Agendas & Minutes | publisher=City of Lyndhurst | access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{ cite news | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CPDB&p_theme=cpdb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=ott%20AND%20date(1/27/2005%20to%201/28/2005)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1/27/2005%20to%201/28/2005)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(ott)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no | title=Councilman seeks tax rebate in Lyndhurst: Wants to give every homeowner $400 out of city's large surplus | newspaper=The Plain Dealer | first=Thomas|last=Ott | date=January 27, 2005 | access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref> Faced with opposition from fellow council members, Mandel introduced and advocated for a 2 mill property tax rollback, which would have saved the average homeowner $100 a year on a home valued at $160,000.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CPDB&p_theme=cpdb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=Flournoy%20AND%20date(3/4/2005%20to%203/4/2005)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/4/2005%20to%203/4/2005)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Flournoy)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no| title=Lyndhurst backs off tax rebate: Councilman reacts to opposition, proposes rate rollback | newspaper=The Plain Dealer | first=Tasha|last=Flournoy | date=March 4, 2005 | access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref> On April 4, 2005, the council passed a 1.5 mil rollback that saved the average homeowner $75 per year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lyndhurst-oh.com/prevsite/enews/05242005/index.html | title=Lyndhurst Neighborhood E-News | date=May–June 2005 | first=Joseph M. Jr.|last=Cicero| publisher=City of Lyndhurst | access-date=June 28, 2012 }}</ref>

===Ohio House of Representatives===

====Elections==== Mandel was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2006.<ref name="Mandel_About">{{cite web |url = http://jobs.joshmandel.com/about-josh |title = About Josh Mandel |work = Jobs.JoshMandel.com |publisher = Citizens for Josh Mandel, Inc |access-date = October 11, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121001155751/http://jobs.joshmandel.com/about-josh |archive-date = October 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="KTRH_2008">{{Cite news | last = Patrick | first = Matt | url = http://www.ktrh.com/pages/mattpatrick.html?feed=269930&article=4264029 | title = Rep. Josh Mandel Talks About Biden In OH, And The Upcoming Election | publisher = KTRH 740 AM News Radio | date = September 18, 2008 | access-date = October 11, 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127123855/http://www.ktrh.com/pages/mattpatrick.html?feed=269930&article=4264029 | archive-date = January 27, 2013 }}</ref> He represented Ohio's 17th House district, consisting of 17 communities of various sizes in southeastern Cuyahoga County. Mandel was re-elected to a second term in 2008.

====Tenure==== Mandel's first piece of legislation as a state representative, H.B. 151, was an initiative to force Ohio's multibillion-dollar pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Iran. He joined State Representative Shannon Jones (R) in an attempt to make Ohio the first state in the nation to divest from Iran, but the legislation was never signed into law due to a compromise between state pension executives and Ohio House leadership, agreed to by Mandel.<ref>[http://lsc.state.oh.us/coderev/hou127.nsf/House+Bill+Number/0151?OpenDocument "HB 151"], Ohio State Legislature. Retrieved November 29, 2009.</ref> Then-Speaker of the Ohio House Jon Husted brokered a deal to drop half of the state's investments in Iran and Sudan with the eventual goal of removing all investment from the two countries.<ref name="CD June 7, 2007">{{cite news|title=Arm-twisting gets Ohio pensions to divest from Iran, Sudan|first=James|last=Nash|url=http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/06/07/divest.html|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|date=June 7, 2007|access-date=May 20, 2011|archive-date=January 21, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121163635/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/06/07/divest.html}}</ref>

In the 128th Assembly, Mandel was one of 19 House members to vote against legislation to make cockfighting a felony.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/12/cockfighting_should_be_a_felon.html|title=Cockfighting should be a felony in Ohio|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=December 14, 2009}}</ref> Mandel said that the legislation was not a pressing priority for the state and that the General Assembly should spend its time in other ways.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://blog.cleveland.com/letters/2009/12/toughening_ohios_cockfighting.html |title=Toughening Ohio's cockfighting laws isn't a pressing priority|work=The Plain Dealer |date=December 17, 2009 |access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref>

Also in the 128th Assembly, Mandel voted against legislation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_176 |title=128 HB 176|publisher=Ohio House of Representatives |access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref> that "[p]rohibits discriminatory practices on the basis of 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' under many of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC) Law's existing prohibitions against various unlawful discriminatory practices.".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Better Know An Anti-LGBT Senate Candidate: State Treasurer Josh Mandel (R-OH)|date=September 25, 2012 |url=https://archive.thinkprogress.org/better-know-an-anti-lgbt-senate-candidate-state-treasurer-josh-mandel-r-oh-b1282ce2b696/|access-date=2021-02-18|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=128_HB_176&ACT=As%20Passed%20by%20House&hf=analyses128/h0176-ph-128.htm |title=Laws, Acts, and Legislation |publisher=Ohio State Legislature |access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref> The bill passed the Ohio House by a vote of 56 to 39.

===State Treasurer=== In May 2009, Mandel announced his candidacy for Ohio Treasurer of State via web video.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090531053000/http://www.joshmandel.com/page/announcement-video Josh's Announcement Video – Josh Mandel]</ref> Mandel's campaign generated controversy in late September 2010 when it ran a TV commercial falsely suggesting that Mandel's opponent, African-American Kevin Boyce, was a Muslim.<ref name="PD Oct 8, 2010">{{cite news|title=Josh Mandel to stop airing controversial television ad with reference to a mosque|author=Joe Guillen|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/10/mandel_to_stop_airing_controve.html|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=October 8, 2010 |access-date=May 19, 2011}}</ref> The commercial was criticized for playing on anti-Muslim bias,<ref name="PD Oct 8, 2010" /> and was ultimately withdrawn by the Mandel campaign.<ref name="PD Oct 10, 2010">{{cite news|title=The Plain Dealer endorses Matthew P. Cantrell for Ohio treasurer: editorial|url=http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/10/the_plain_dealer_endorses_matt.html|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=October 10, 2010|access-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.ohio.com/editorial/editorials/negative-attitudes-1.186415 | title=''Editorial'': Negative attitudes: A sampling of the nastiness on the campaign trail | newspaper=The Akron Beacon Journal | date=October 13, 2010 | access-date=June 26, 2012 }}</ref> However, voters subsequently received a campaign mailing with similar themes. The Mandel campaign said that the Ohio Republican Party was responsible for the mailers, which had already been sent via bulk mail.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2010/10/11/new_mandel_ad_just_as_scummy_d.html | title=New Mandel ad just as scummy, Dems say | newspaper=Dayton Daily News | author=Laura Bischoff | date=October 11, 2010 | access-date=June 26, 2012 }}</ref> In October 2010, in response to an Ohio Democratic Party complaint, the Ohio Elections Commission found that Mandel had deceptively depicted Boyce (an African Methodist Episcopal) as a Muslim in the ads.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2010/10/28/elections_commission_panel_rul.html | title=Elections commission panel rules against Kasich, Husted | newspaper=The Dayton Daily News | first1=Anthony|last1=Shoemaker | first2=Lynn|last2=Hulsey | first3=Laura A.|last3=Bischoff | date=October 28, 2010 | access-date=June 26, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="cd-mosque">{{cite news | work=The Columbus Dispatch | title=Strickland told truth in anti-Kasich ad, elections panel finds; Mandel's 'mosque' ad against Boyce deceptive, group says | url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2010/10/28/ohio-elections-commission-strickland.html | date=October 28, 2010 | access-date=September 5, 2012 | first1=Darrel | last1=Rowland | first2=Jim | last2=Siegel | archive-date=June 19, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619021406/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2010/10/28/ohio-elections-commission-strickland.html }}</ref>

On November 2, 2010, Mandel was elected Ohio State Treasurer, defeating Boyce by 14 percentage points to become chief investment officer of state funds.<ref name="PD Nov 2, 2010">{{cite news|title=Republican challenger Josh Mandel crushes incumbent Kevin Boyce in Ohio treasurer's race|first=Michael|last=Scott|url=http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/11/ohio_treasurer_incumbent_boyce.html|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=May 20, 2011}}</ref> Mandel was sworn in on January 10, 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/josh-mandel-candidate-bio/3547452|title=Josh Mandel|date=October 8, 2014|publisher=WLWT}}</ref>

During Mandel's time as treasurer, Ohio retained the highest possible rating from Standard & Poor's for the state's $4 billion government investment fund.<ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Alan |url=http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2011/09/ohio-retains-top-investment-rating-while-others-are-downgraded.html |title=Ohio investment fund retains top rating while others are downgraded |website=Dispatch Politics |date=September 8, 2011 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730030258/http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/content/blogs/the-daily-briefing/2011/09/ohio-retains-top-investment-rating-while-others-are-downgraded.html |archive-date=July 30, 2012 }}</ref> On March 19, 2012, Mandel severed contracts with two major banks that handled $41 billion in Ohio pension investments, amid government investigations into whether the banks overcharged clients for currency trading, accusing them of "systematically exploiting public pension funds and taxpayers."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303812904577291850258787424?mod=googlenews_wsj | work=The Wall Street Journal | first1=Matthias | last1=Rieker | first2=Jean | last2=Eaglesham | title=Ohio Jettisons 2 Trust Banks | date=March 19, 2012}}</ref>

Mandel was reelected to a second term as state treasurer in 2014,<ref name="PD Nov 7, 2012">{{cite news|title=Mandel says he'll seek re-election in 2014|first=Jackie|last=Borchardt|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/mandel-says-hell-seek-re-election-in-2014/nSzr8/|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=November 11, 2012}}</ref> defeating Democratic state representative Connie Pillich.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/11/connie_pillich_concedes_to_jos.html | title=Connie Pillich concedes to Josh Mandel Ohio treasurer's race | last=Borchardt | first=Jackie | newspaper=The Plain Dealer | date=November 5, 2014 | access-date=November 8, 2014 }}</ref>

====OhioCheckbook.com==== In December 2014, Mandel launched OhioCheckbook.com, a website that reports every expenditure in state government,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/article/20141202/NEWS/312029622|title=Want to know how the state is spending money? You can find it online now|first=Alan|last=Johnson|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=December 1, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2018|language=en}}</ref> in an effort, according to Mandel, to "create an army of citizen watchdogs who have the power to hold politicians accountable."<ref>{{Cite news|first=Jackie|last=Borchardt|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/12/online_checkbook_allows_taxpay.html|title=Online checkbook allows taxpayers to track state spending|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 2, 2014|access-date=August 7, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Because there was no coordination with a similar effort undertaken by then-Governor John Kasich, Ohio ran two overlapping disclosure sites for several years. In June 2020, the state of Ohio merged the two sites, saving nearly a million dollars.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tobias |first1=Andrew J. |date=June 30, 2020 |title=Ohio merges dueling state websites that detail government spending |work=The Plain Dealer |language=en |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/06/ohio-merges-dueling-state-websites-that-detail-government-spending.html |access-date=September 5, 2020}}</ref>

====STABLE Accounts==== In summer 2015, Ohio passed legislation granting the Ohio Treasurer's Office the authority to open and administer ABLE accounts; such accounts are a federally authorized, state-run savings program for eligible people with disabilities. In June 2016, Mandel began offering the nation's first ABLE accounts, called in Ohio "STABLE Accounts".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/06/09/putting-away-money-for-disabled-gets-easier-with-state-program.html|title=Putting away money for disabled gets easier with new state program|first=Mark|last=Williams|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2018|language=en|archive-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724183626/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2016/06/09/putting-away-money-for-disabled-gets-easier-with-state-program.html}}</ref> The Ohio Treasurer's Office, in addition to administering Ohio's STABLE Accounts, also jointly administers the ABLE accounts in Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming.<ref>{{cite web |title=ABLE Program Implementation |date=August 23, 2017 |work=The Arc |url=http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/public-policy/issues/able-program-implementation |access-date=2017-11-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Oklahoma STABLE | date=2018 | publisher=Oklahoma State Treasurer | url=https://okstable.org/ | access-date=August 23, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=WVABLE | date=2018 | publisher=John Perdue (West Virginia State Treasurer) | url=https://wvable.com/ | access-date=August 23, 2018 }}</ref>

==== Advertising controversy ==== In 2016 and 2017, the Ohio Treasurer's Office under Mandel spent almost $1.7 million in taxpayer-funded television ads, featuring him and Urban Meyer, the head coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.<ref name="Borchardt">{{cite news|first=Jackie|last=Borchardt|url=http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2017/02/ohio_taxpayers_spent_13_millio.html|title=Ohio taxpayers spent $1.7 million on TV ads featuring Josh Mandel, Urban Meyer|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|date=February 21, 2017}}</ref> Mandel's office made each payment for the ads to individual television stations in an amount less than $50,000 per fiscal year, thus circumventing the need for approval by the state controlling board, which must sign off on state payments over this amount.<ref name="Borchardt"/><ref name="BischoffAds">{{cite news|first=Laura A.|last=Bischoff|url=http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ohio-treasurer-ran-state-funded-ads-just-before-announcing-senate-run/S7WlOG0bhSkFCgaGN0URvJ/|title=Ohio treasurer ran state-funded ads just before announcing Senate run|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|date=February 17, 2017}}</ref> Thirteen ad buys were within $1,000 of the $50,000 threshold.<ref name="Borchardt"/> Mandel defended the ads, saying they helped increase awareness of an investment program for disabled Ohioans. Critics questioned the airing of self-promotional ads at a time when Mandel was running for U.S. Senate and said that Mandel's office was trying to avoid scrutiny by structuring the ad buys to avoid Controlling Board approval.<ref name="Borchardt"/><ref name="BischoffAds"/>

In response to the controversy, the Ohio House introduced an amendment to the state's 2017 budget. The amendment would require approval by the Controlling Board for ad buys that in aggregate exceed $50,000. This rule would have prevented Mandel from avoiding oversight by distributing the advertising campaign among individual ad buys.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170428/gop-lawmakers-target-mandel-with-budget-amendment|title=GOP lawmakers target Mandel with budget amendment|last=Schladen|first=Marty|date=April 28, 2017|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=May 7, 2017|language=en|archive-date=May 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503044828/http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170428/gop-lawmakers-target-mandel-with-budget-amendment}}</ref> Mandel did not attend an Ohio Senate hearing on the matter. He sent a deputy instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://radio.wosu.org/post/josh-mandel-skips-hearing-over-taxpayer-funded-television-spots|title=Josh Mandel Skips Hearing Over Taxpayer Funded Television Spots|agency=Associated Press|date=May 9, 2017|publisher=WOSU|access-date=May 10, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

====OhioCrypto.com==== In November 2018, Mandel made Ohio the first U.S. state to allow taxpayers to pay taxes with cryptocurrency.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/ohio-to-accept-bitcoin-for-tax-bills|title=Ohio to accept bitcoin for tax bills|last=Scipioni|first=Jade|date=November 26, 2018|publisher=Fox Business|access-date=December 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Mandel's initiative, OhioCrypto.com, allowed Ohio taxpayers to pay tax bills in Bitcoin; he described the initiative as a way to project Ohio as a state that is embracing blockchain technology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/29/ohio-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-blockchain-businesses-by-accepting-bitcoin-this-tax-season.html|title=Ohio 'rolls out the red carpet' for blockchain businesses by accepting bitcoin this tax season|last=Rooney|first=Kate|date=November 29, 2018|publisher=CNBC|access-date=December 3, 2018}}</ref>  Mandel described himself as a cryptocurrency enthusiast and said that he hoped the launch of OhioCrypto.com would bring more legitimacy to cryptocurrency.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theneweconomy.com/technology/ohio-accepts-bitcoin-as-payment-for-corporate-taxes | title=Ohio accepts bitcoin as payment for corporate taxes | last=Perryer | first=Sophie | magazine=The New Economy | date=November 26, 2018 | publisher=World News Media | access-date= December 3, 2018 | language=en-US}}</ref> Ohio Attorney General Yost subsequently found, "The Treasurer's use of a payment processor to convert cryptocurrency into dollars for the payment of taxes is not authorized, expressly or impliedly, by statutes allowing the receipt of electronic payments." Mandel's successor suspended the program, noting that it had processed fewer than ten transactions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Erb |first1=Kelly Phillips |title=Citing Legal Issues, Ohio Suspends Crypto Tax Payment Program |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2019/11/06/citing-legal-issues-ohio-suspends-crypto-tax-payment-program/ |access-date=25 October 2021 |work=Forbes |date=6 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

===2012 U.S. Senate election=== {{Main|2012 United States Senate election in Ohio}} Mandel was the Republican nominee to challenge Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in the 2012 election for U.S. Senate from Ohio.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jay|last=LaPrete |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/ohio_treasurer_josh_mandel_win.html |title=Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel wins GOP primary for U.S. Senate, set to face Sherrod Brown in November |work=The Plain Dealer |date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> Mandel officially announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate on March 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Trexler |first=Phil |url=http://www.ohio.com/news/local/state-treasurer-announces-he-s-running-for-u-s-senate-1.268002 |title=State treasurer announces he's running for U.S. Senate – Local |work=Akron Beacon Journal |date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012}}</ref> He won the March 6, 2012, Republican primary with 63% of the vote in a five-candidate race.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/2012-election/map/#/Senate/2012/Primary/OH 2012 Ohio election map]. ''Politico''.</ref>

Mandel earned the endorsement of several prominent conservative politicians, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and Sen. John McCain.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smyth|first=Julie Carr|title=John McCain, Chris Christie campaign for Ohio GOP Senate candidate Josh Mandel|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/state/john-mccain-chris-christie-campaign-for-ohio-gop-senate-candidate-josh-mandel|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908052429/http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/state/john-mccain-chris-christie-campaign-for-ohio-gop-senate-candidate-josh-mandel|archive-date=September 8, 2012|publisher=WEWS-TV |date=April 16, 2012}}</ref> Mandel also received the endorsements of U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan.<ref>{{cite news |last=Catanese |first=David |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/david-catanese/2011/08/jordan-backs-mandel-038595?showall |title=Jordan backs Mandel |website=Politico |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref>

Mandel's campaign was singled out by the independent fact-checking group PolitiFact for its "casual relationship with the truth" and its tendency to "double down" after inaccuracies were pointed out. PolitiFact wrote: "For all the gifts Mandel has, from his compelling personal narrative as an Iraq war veteran to a well-oiled fundraising machine, whoppers are fast becoming a calling card of his candidacy."<ref name="politifact-age">{{cite web | website=PolitiFact | title=Even in an age of fact checking, the whopper lives | first= Henry | last=Gomez | url=http://www.politifact.com/ohio/article/2012/mar/26/even-age-fact-checking-whopper-lives/ | date=March 26, 2012 | access-date= July 5, 2012}}</ref>

Mandel had raised $7.2 million through the first quarter of 2012; his $5.3 million cash on hand trailed Brown's $6.3 million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wehrman|first=Jessica|title=Incumbents winning in fundraising|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/election/incumbents-winning-in-fundraising-1360963.html|access-date=April 30, 2012|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|date=April 16, 2012}}</ref> Mandel benefited from support from conservative out-of-state superPACs. As of July 2012, these outside groups—including Crossroads GPS—aired $10 million in TV advertising supporting Mandel and attacking Brown, outspending Democratic Party-aligned outside groups by a margin of more than five-to-one.<ref name="npr-ohio">{{cite news | publisher=NPR | url=https://www.npr.org/2012/07/05/156268298/ohio-senator-vulnerable-for-health-law-support | title=Ohio Senator Vulnerable For Health Law Support | first=David | last=Welna | date=July 5, 2012 | access-date=July 5, 2012}}</ref> Mandel's campaign was aided by over $1 million spent primarily on attack ads by a 501(c)(4) organization called the "Government Integrity Fund".<ref>{{cite news | first=Justin | last=Elliot | title=Revealed: The Dark Money Group Attacking Sen. Sherrod Brown | date=September 7, 2012 | url=https://www.propublica.org/article/revealed-the-dark-money-group-attacking-sen-sherrod-brown/ | work=ProPublica | access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref>

A few days before the election, several of Mandel's relatives published an open letter in the ''Cleveland Jewish News'' criticizing Mandel for his anti-gay views, stating that his own cousin, a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, was married to another woman, and that Mandel believed LGBT people "should be forced to live a life of secrecy and lies".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zeiger |first=Asher |title=Jewish candidate blasted by relatives |date=November 6, 2012 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-gop-candidate-blasted-by-own-family/ |access-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref>

Brown defeated Mandel 51%-45% in the November 6, 2012 general election.<ref>{{cite news | first=Joe | last=Vardon | title=Brown wins re-election to U.S. Senate | date=November 6, 2012 | work=The Columbus Dispatch | url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/public/2012/11/US-senate-race.html | access-date=November 6, 2012 | archive-date=November 11, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111232035/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/public/2012/11/US-senate-race.html }}</ref>

In August 2013, the Ohio Democratic Party and EMILY's List accused Mandel of violating federal and state campaign laws by using a vehicle owned by his U.S. Senate campaign for personal purposes. The vehicle was involved in a traffic accident on March 5, 2013, nearly four months after Mandel's Senate campaign had ended; he was a passenger in the vehicle when the accident occurred. Mandel contended that he had done nothing improper.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dems, others pounce on questions over Treasurer Josh Mandel's use of a vehicle owned by his Senate campaign|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/08/dems_others_pounce_on_question.html|work=The Plain Dealer|access-date=August 29, 2013|first=Robert|last=Higgs|date=August 27, 2013}}</ref>

===2018 U.S. Senate election=== {{main|2018 United States Senate election in Ohio}} In December 2016, Mandel announced that he would seek election to the United States Senate in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/12/ohio_treasurer_josh_mandel_ann.html|title=Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announces 2018 U.S. Senate run for Sherrod Brown's seat|work=The Plain Dealer|date=December 7, 2016|access-date=December 7, 2016|first=Andrew|last=Tobias}}</ref>

In late 2016, a Super PAC called Ohio Freedom Fund was created to support Mandel's Senate bid. As of April 2017, the Ohio Freedom Fund's primary contributor is Citizens for a Working America, a nonprofit organization not subject to campaign finance disclosures. At the time that the Ohio Freedom Fund Super PAC was created, Mandel, in his capacity as state treasurer, was appearing in a series of advertisements promoting a new investment program for families with special needs children. Mandel's office said the ads were taped and aired before Mandel was a candidate for U.S. Senate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/090e452b4bd8479eadadd836596eb5fb/Dark-money-group-backs-super-PAC-pushing-Mandel-Senate-bid|title=Dark money group backs super PAC pushing Mandel Senate bid|last=Carr Smyth|first=Julia|date=2017-04-11|publisher=Associated Press |access-date=2017-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072156/https://apnews.com/090e452b4bd8479eadadd836596eb5fb/Dark-money-group-backs-super-PAC-pushing-Mandel-Senate-bid|archive-date=2017-04-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170411/300000-in-dark-money-raised-to-help-josh-mandel-in-2018-us-senate-race|title=$300,000 in 'dark money' raised to help Josh Mandel in 2018 US Senate race|last=Schladen|first=Martin|date=April 12, 2017|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=April 12, 2017|language=en|archive-date=April 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153243/http://www.dispatch.com/news/20170411/300000-in-dark-money-raised-to-help-josh-mandel-in-2018-us-senate-race}}</ref>

In July 2017, Mandel stated his support for alt-right activists and conspiracy theorists Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec after they were criticized in an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) report. Mandel accused the ADL of being a "partisan witchhunt group" and tweeted "I stand with @Cernovich & @JackPosobiec."<ref>{{cite web|first=Gideon|last=Resnick|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/josh-mandel-ohio-republican-senate-candidate-i-stand-with-mike-cernovich-and-jack-posobiec|title=Josh Mandel, Ohio Republican Senate Candidate: I Stand With Mike Cernovich and Jack Posobiec|work=The Daily Beast|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=May 2, 2022}}</ref>

Mandel dropped out of the race on January 5, 2018, citing the need to spend more time with his family relating to his wife's health issues.<ref name="Politico 2018-01-05">{{cite news|last1=Robillard|first1=Kevin|title=Mandel drops out of Ohio Senate race vs. Sherrod Brown|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/05/josh-mandel-drops-out-ohio-senate-race-326866?lo=ap_a1|access-date=5 January 2018|website=Politico|date=January 5, 2018}}</ref>

=== 2022 U.S. Senate election === {{main|2022 United States Senate election in Ohio}}

Senator Rob Portman announced in late January 2021 that he would not be seeking re-election to the Senate, citing gridlock and partisanship.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Jason|last1=Williams|first2=Scott|last2=Wartman|first3=Hannah K.|last3=Sparling|title=Portman: 'It's a tough time to be in public service.' Ohio Senator won't seek re-election. |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=January 25, 2021|language=en-US |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/25/rob-portman-republican-ohio-senator-wont-run-re-election-2022/6696235002/|access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> Mandel mulled running in the election,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Balmert|first=Jessie|title=U.S. Sen. Rob Portman won't run for re-election. Which Republicans might run instead? |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=January 25, 2021|language=en-US |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/01/25/which-republican-might-replace-ohio-u-s-sen-rob-portman/6698169002/ |access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> and later confirmed that he would run.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 16, 2021 |first=Matthew|last=Kassel |title=Josh Mandel goes all in for the Trump lane in Ohio's Senate race |website=Jewish Insider |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2021/02/josh-mandel-ohio-senate/ |access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2021|title=GOP's Josh Mandel joins race for open Senate seat in Ohio |website=The Independent |language=en |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/gops-josh-mandel-joins-race-for-open-senate-seat-in-ohio-trump-democrats-seat-seat-senate-b1800326.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220617/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/gops-josh-mandel-joins-race-for-open-senate-seat-in-ohio-trump-democrats-seat-seat-senate-b1800326.html |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> Declaring his candidacy, Mandel touted his support for President Donald Trump, although he had initially endorsed Marco Rubio for the party's nomination in the 2016 presidential election<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/02/former-ohio-treasurer-josh-mandel-announces-senate-bid.html|title=Former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announces Senate bid|date=February 10, 2021}}</ref> and voted for him in that year's Ohio Republican primary.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Jeremy|last=Pelzer|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2016/03/josh_mandel_voted_for_marco_ru.html|title=Josh Mandel voted Rubio despite call to back Kasich|work=The Plain Dealer|date=March 13, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2021, Mandel was suspended from Twitter for 12 hours for creating a poll about which type of "illegals" would commit more crimes, "Muslim Terrorists" or "Mexican Gangbangers". Mandel called the suspension censorship.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Balmert|first1=Jesse|date=March 18, 2021|title=Twitter temporarily restricts Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel over 'hateful conduct'|website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/18/twitter-temporarily-blocks-ohio-senate-candidate-josh-mandel-over-hateful-conduct/4755165001/|access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref>

In May 2021, multiple fundraisers left the Mandel campaign, citing a "toxic work atmosphere". The departed fundraisers alleged that they had been berated publicly by Mandel's girlfriend, who was the campaign's financial director.<ref name="toxic1">{{Cite news |first1=Connor|last1=Perrett|first2=Grace|last2=Panetta|title=GOP Senate candidate Josh Mandel's staffers quit over toxic workplace allegedly caused by finance director he's dating: report |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/gop-candidate-mandel-staff-quit-toxic-workplace-dating-allegations-2021-6 |date=June 29, 2021|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="toxic2">{{Cite news |first1=Haley|last1=BeMiller |first2=Laura A.|last2=Bischoff |title=Josh Mandel's staff quit campaign because of toxic work environment created by staffer in relationship with Mandel, sources say |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/06/29/josh-mandel-campaign-toxic-work-environment-sources-say/5323272001/ |date=June 29, 2021|access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref>

In October 2021, posting on a far-right conservative website, Mandel claimed that Jewish financier George Soros and the "deep state" were responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, antifa, and the January 6, 2021 assault on Capitol Hill.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Sokol|url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2021-10-11/ty-article/.highlight/jewish-gop-senate-candidate-blames-soros-and-deep-state-for-covid-19/0000017f-ef03-d4a6-af7f-ffc71ac00000|title=Jewish GOP Senate candidate blames Soros and 'deep state' for COVID-19|website=Haaretz|date=11 October 2021}}</ref>

In the May 2022 primary, Mandel was defeated by Trump-endorsed candidate JD Vance. Mandel came in second during the primary, receiving 23.9 percent of the votes.<ref>{{cite web|first=Deepa|last=Shivaram|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/03/1095662187/ohio-republican-senate-primary-results-vance-trump|title=After Trump's endorsement, J.D. Vance wins a crowded Ohio GOP Senate race, the AP says|publisher=NPR|date=May 3, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref>

==Political positions==

===Donald Trump=== Mandel has been characterized as a Trump loyalist.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Jessie|last1=Balmert |first2=Jason|last2=Williams |title=Former Ohio Republican Party leader Jane Timken: 'I would happily accept Trump's endorsement' |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |language=en-US |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/02/18/former-ohio-gop-leader-and-donald-trump-ally-jane-timken-enters-2022-us-senate-race/6755971002/ |date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> He has backed Trump's widely disproven<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 2021|title=AP FACT CHECK: Trump's claims of vote rigging are all wrong |publisher=Associated Press |language=en |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-ap-fact-check-joe-biden-donald-trump-technology-49a24edd6d10888dbad61689c24b05a5 |access-date=August 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Corse|first=Alexa|date=January 14, 2021|title=Readers' Election-Fraud Questions—Answered|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/readers-election-fraud-questions-answered-11610584849|access-date=2021-08-19|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> claims of voting fraud in the 2020 presidential election,<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Analysis: The Senate is trying Trump for impeachment. This Senate candidate is insisting the election was stolen. |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/politics/josh-mandel-senate-ohio-trump/index.html |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> and supported Trump's attempts to overturn opponent Joe Biden's electoral victory. Mandel has called Trump's second impeachment a "sham" and pledged to fight for the former president's "America First" agenda. Mandel claims that "studies that evidence widespread fraud" in relation to the 2020 presidential election will emerge eventually.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mark|last=Naymik|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/politics/former-ohio-treasurer-josh-mandel-claims-2020-election-stolen-from-president-trump/95-37c54b44-cdec-403a-ab6a-04b498a52937 |title=Former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel claims 2020 election was 'stolen from President Trump' |date=February 11, 2021 |publisher=WKYC |access-date=February 11, 2021}}</ref>

===Abortion=== Mandel is anti-abortion, but stated he does "support an exception to protect the life of the mother.”<ref name="PolitiFact Strickland Mandel">{{Cite web |first=Joe|last=Guillen|date=August 16, 2011|title=PolitiFact - Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland raps Josh Mandel as a flip flopper on abortion, gay rights |website=PolitiFact |language=en-US |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2011/aug/16/ted-strickland/former-ohio-gov-ted-strickland-raps-josh-mandel-fl/ |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |last1=Catanese |first1=David |title=Brown, Mandel tangle on abortion |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/10/mandel-shifts-abortion-stance-082906 |agency=POLITICO |date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

===Health care=== Mandel has called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2012/Mar/21/ar_news_032112_story3.asp?d=032112_story3,2012,Mar,21&c=n |title=Mandel blasts new EPA regulations |date=March 21, 2012 |website=The Courier |location=Findlay, Ohio |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326023811/http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2012/Mar/21/ar_news_032112_story3.asp?d=032112_story3,2012,Mar,21&c=n }}</ref> In a campaign advertisement during his 2012 Senatorial run, Mandel claimed opponent Sherrod Brown "cast the deciding vote on the government takeover of health care". PolitiFact has labeled as false the claim that Brown cast the deciding vote for the act. The description of the act as a government takeover of health care, by Mandel, has been labeled by PolitiFact as "nonsensical" and a "myth".<ref name="politifact-aca">{{cite web |first=Tom|last=Feran|date=May 30, 2012|website=PolitiFact | url=http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2012/may/30/josh-mandel/josh-mandel-says-sherrod-brown-cast-deciding-vote-/ | title=Josh Mandel says Sherrod Brown cast the deciding vote for a government takeover of health care | access-date= July 5, 2012 }}</ref>

===Environment=== Mandel rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. He has referred to climate change research as "riddled with fraud". He has vowed to fight attempts to advance clean-air standards.<ref name="PlainD 2012-8-26"/>

Mandel has called for what he terms as "aggressive and responsible" energy exploration that protects "the air we breathe and water we drink" while reducing environmental regulation.<ref name="wapakdailynews1">{{Cite news |last=Laney |first=William |url=http://www.wapakdailynews.com/content/mandel-runs-job-growth |title=Mandel runs on job growth |newspaper=Wapakoneta Daily News |date=March 21, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-date=April 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424100237/http://www.wapakdailynews.com/content/mandel-runs-job-growth }}</ref> He supports the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204630904577057890734267020 | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Josh | last=Mandel | title=Washington Targets Ohio Shale Gas | date=December 2, 2011}}</ref> Mandel is a supporter of expanded coal plants and has criticized what he has termed as "radical" environmental groups.<ref name="PlainD 2012-8-26">{{cite news | first=Henry | last=Gomez | title=U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel voices skepticism about global warming in pre-convention interview | date=August 26, 2012 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2012/08/us_senate_candidate_josh_mande.html | work=The Plain Dealer | access-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref>

===LGBT rights=== Mandel opposes same-sex marriage, saying in 2012 that he will "protect the sanctity of marriage" and "this is a fight that I will never, ever back down."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Koff|first=Stephen|date=May 10, 2012|title=Same-sex marriage still breaks down along party lines for Ohioans in Congress |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2012/05/gay_marriage_still_breaks_down.html |website=The Plain Dealer |language=en |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2012 |first=Peter|last=Rosenstein |title=Ohio GOP Senate candidate vows to fight against marriage equality |website=Washington Blade |language=en-US |url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/07/12/ohio-gop-senate-candidate-vows-to-fight-against-marriage-equality/ |access-date=2021-02-18}}</ref> He is against openly gay people serving in the military,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zeiger |first=Asher |title=Jewish candidate blasted by relatives |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-gop-candidate-blasted-by-own-family/ |access-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> and voted against workplace and housing discrimination protections for gay and transgender people in 2009.<ref name="PolitiFact Strickland Mandel" />

===Foreign policy=== In 2012, Mandel said that he disagreed with plans to set a "date certain" for withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq and Afghanistan, also stating, "at some point in time, we have to take the training wheels off and we have to allow those countries to stand on their own two feet."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Molly|last=Ball|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/is-josh-mandel-the-next-marco-rubio/253956/|title=Is Josh Mandel the Next Marco Rubio?|magazine=The Atlantic|date=March 5, 2012}}</ref>

In early September 2021, when the U.S. evacuated Afghan allies from Afghanistan, Mandel said that refugees were being brought to "the heart of America ... To protect our kids, our communities and our Judeo-Christian way of life, we must FIGHT this with all our might."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Teague Beckwith |first1=Ryan |last2=Niquette |first2=Mark |last3=Korte |first3=Gregory |title=GOP Candidates Want Refugees Out of Afghanistan But Not in U.S. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-04/gop-candidates-want-refugees-out-of-afghanistan-but-not-in-u-s |access-date=September 5, 2021 |work=Bloomberg |date=September 4, 2021}}</ref>

===Religion=== In November 2021, Mandel, despite being Jewish, tweeted support for controversial statements by Michael Flynn calling for the establishment of "one religion" in the United States, which would be against the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. He followed up with more tweets saying "Freedom of religion ≠ freedom FROM religion" and "America was not founded as a secular nation".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/15/trump-ally-michael-flynn-condemned-call-one-religion |title=Trump ally Michael Flynn condemned over call for 'one religion' in US |date=November 15, 2021 |work=The Guardian |first=Martin |last=Pengelly}}</ref>

==Personal life== Mandel was married to social worker Ilana Shafran in August 2008 in Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-07-10 |title=Overseas "I Do" Ilana & Josh • August 28, 2008 |website=Elegant Wedding |url=http://www.elegantweddingmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=About+Us&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=9645240DED75499FBF4065DC4E527D2E|access-date=2020-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710181137/http://www.elegantweddingmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=About+Us&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=9645240DED75499FBF4065DC4E527D2E|archive-date=July 10, 2011}}</ref> In April 2020, Mandel and Shafran filed for divorce. The divorce was finalized in June 2020 and all records were sealed until 2021 when details regarding finances, custody of their three children, and child support were released.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Seth A.|last=Richardson|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/02/josh-mandel-releases-details-of-sealed-divorce.html|title=Josh Mandel releases details of sealed divorce|work=The Plain Dealer|date=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Richardson |first1=Seth A. |title=Former Treasurer Josh Mandel and wife, Ilana, divorce, records kept sealed |url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2020/09/former-treasurer-josh-mandel-and-wife-ilana-divorce-records-kept-sealed.html |access-date=September 5, 2020 |work=The Plain Dealer |date=September 4, 2020}}</ref> Their divorce was re-opened in 2023 over disputes regarding child support, Mandel's failure to pay for the children's healthcare, and numerous other issues. Mandel and Shafran were both sentenced to 7 days in jail for contempt of court for violating the conditions of their 2020 divorce agreement. However, they were given the option to avoid jail time by resolving issues with a 529 college savings account and their children's sports and medical expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=Ex-Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has been threatened with jail time in his divorce case |url=https://apnews.com/article/ohio-republican-josh-mandel-jail-divorce-de434bd5bf3294bf7d97b8e6c42b691e |access-date=2024-11-14 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2025, Mandel married Alyssa Strayer in Ayrshire, Scotland. They currently reside in Pepper Pike, Ohio, with their five children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mandel-Strayer |url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/community/lifecycles/weddings/mandel-strayer/article_aa0b7cad-f9d0-4487-a317-877a56cc5c61.html |website=Cleveland Jewish News |date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=January 5, 2026}}</ref>

==Electoral history== {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="34" |Election results |- !Year !Office !Election ! !Subject !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Votes !% ! |- |2012 |U.S. Senate |GOP Primary | |'''Josh Mandel''' |'''586,556''' |'''63.02''' | |Michael Pryce |132,205 |14.20 | |Donna Glisman |115,621 |12.42 | |David Dodt |47,933 |5.15 | |Eric Gregory |47,740 |5.13 | |Russell Bliss |644 |0.07 | |- |2022 |U.S. Senate |GOP Primary | |'''JD Vance''' |'''340,991''' |'''32.2''' | |Josh Mandel |253,051 |23.9 | |Matt Dolan |247,042 |23.3 | |Mike Gibbons |123,417 |11.7 | |Jane Timken |62,237 |5.9 | |Mark Pukita |22,478 |2.1 | |} {| class="wikitable collapsible" ! colspan="24" style="background: #ccccff;" |Election results<ref>{{cite news | title=Election Results | url=http://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/Research/electResultsMain.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815184807/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/Research/electResultsMain.aspx | archive-date=August 15, 2012 | publisher=Ohio Secretary of State | access-date=March 9, 2014 }}</ref> |- !Year !Election ! !Subject !Party !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Party !Votes !% ! !Opponent !Party !Votes !% ! |- |2006 |Ohio House of Representatives | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Josh Mandel''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Republican''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''36,729''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''67%''' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Roger J. Goudy | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |18,047 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |33% | ||||||||| |- |2008 |Ohio House of Representatives | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Josh Mandel''' '''(incumbent)''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Republican''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''48,280''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''72%''' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Bob Belovich | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |19,119 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |28% | ||||||||| |- |2010 |Ohio State Treasurer | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Josh Mandel''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Republican''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''2,050,142''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''55%''' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Kevin Boyce | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |1,525,992 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |41% | | {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Matthew Cantrell | {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Libertarian | {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |184,478 | {{Party shading/Libertarian}} |5% | |- |2012 |U.S. Senator | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |Josh Mandel | {{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican | {{Party shading/Republican}} |2,435,744 | {{Party shading/Republican}} |45% | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Sherrod Brown''' '''(incumbent)''' | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''Democratic''' | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''2,762,766''' | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''51%''' | | {{Party shading/None}} |Scott Rupert | {{Party shading/None}} |Independent | {{Party shading/None}} |250,617 | {{Party shading/None}} |4% | |- |2014 |Ohio State Treasurer | | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Josh Mandel''' '''(incumbent)''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Republican''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''1,724,060''' | {{Party shading/Republican}} |'''57%''' | | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Connie Pillich | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |1,323,325 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} |43% | ||||||||| |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{commons category}} {{Portal|Biography}} * [http://tos.ohio.gov/ State Treasurer of Ohio] * [http://www.joshmandel.com/ Josh Mandel campaign website] * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=60051 | fec=C00510537 | congress= }} * {{C-SPAN|9265784}} * [http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/02/round_the_rotunda_statewide_ca.html/ Statewide candidates stake their positions: Round the Rotunda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324182634/http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/02/round_the_rotunda_statewide_ca.html |date=March 24, 2010 }} * [http://www.politifact.com/personalities/josh-mandel/ Josh Mandel's file] at Politifact * [http://topics.cleveland.com/tag/josh-mandel/index.html Collected news and commentary] at the ''Cleveland Plain Dealer''

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-oh-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Jim Trakas}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Ohio House of Representatives<br />from the 17th district|years=2007–2011}} {{s-aft|after=Marlene Anielski}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Kevin Boyce}} {{s-ttl|title=Treasurer of Ohio|years=2011–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Robert Sprague}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Sandra O'Brien}}<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/election-results-and-data/2006-elections-results/treasurer-of-state-november-7-2006/|title=Treasurer of State: November 7, 2006|access-date=2023-01-02|publisher=Ohio Secretary of State}}</ref> {{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Ohio State Treasurer|years=2010, 2014}} {{s-aft|after=Robert Sprague<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.sos.state.oh.us/elections/election-results-and-data/2018-official-elections-results/#gref|title=2018 Official Election Results|publisher=Ohio Secretary of State|access-date=2023-01-02}}</ref>}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Mike DeWine}} {{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Ohio}}<br />(Class 1)|years=2012}} {{s-aft|after=Jim Renacci}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mandel, Josh}} Category:1977 births Category:People from Beachwood, Ohio Category:Politicians from Cleveland Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives Category:State treasurers of Ohio Category:United States Marine Corps reservists Category:United States Marines Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War Category:Case Western Reserve University School of Law alumni Category:Ohio State University School of Communication alumni Category:Jewish state legislators in Ohio Category:21st-century American Jews Category:Living people Category:American people of Polish-Jewish descent Category:American people of Italian-Jewish descent Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States Senate elections Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States Senate elections Category:Candidates in the 2012 United States elections Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly