Mandel may seek GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, challenge anti-gun Sen. Sherrod Brown

by Chad D. Baus

Ohio Treasurer of State Josh Mandel (R), who has earned the endorsement of Buckeye Firearms Association in several previous campaigns, is reportedly leaning toward a run for the U.S. Senate in 2012, and may make an announcement this spring.

From The Columbus Dispatch:

Mandel has been urged by Republican leaders to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown as other potential GOP candidates increasingly appear unlikely to run, including Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Urbana, Pat Tiberi of Genoa Township, and Steve LaTourette of Bainbridge Township.

Mandel, who became treasurer in January, is known for his fundraising prowess; he'll need it, given estimates that both Brown and his challenger will need to raise at leastbout $15 million.

Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine said Mandel would be "a formidable candidate" against Brown.

"Josh is a great campaigner and an incredibly hard worker and would provide an excellent contrast to Sherrod Brown if he decides to run," DeWine said.

Mandel is a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq. While a State Representative, Mandel voted for SB184, Ohio's Castle Doctrine law, which restored important rights that had been lost. In 2009 Mandel vocally supported a Federal bill to allow concealed carry in national parks.

When announcing his endorsement for Treasurer of State in 2010, Jim Irvine, Chairman of Buckeye Firearms Association said, "I first met Josh Mandel at an event for another State Representative. I did not understand why people were so excited to talk with Josh, then a Lyndhurst city council member. After meeting with Mandel, I began to understand. Mandel does not just support us, he is one of us."

Another past Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee, NRA Board of Directors member Ken Blackwell, was recently named in a public opinion poll as the top Republican choice to seek the U.S. Senate seat.

Asked by The Cleveland Plain Dealer whether he plans to seek Brown's seat, Blackwell replied: "I was under the impression that I'm too conservative, too old & cantakerous for another run."

Although Republicans held both Senate seats for nearly a decade prior to Mike DeWine's experiment to see who could deliver more votes (the NRA or editorial boards) ended with the loss of his seat to Brown, the election of Sen. Rob Portman (R) last November marked the first time in recent memory that Ohio was represented in Washington D.C. by a pro-gun Senator. Should Republicans nominate another pro-gun candidate who is successful in unseating Sen. Brown, it would likely be the first time in at least a generation that both of state's U.S. Senators fully support the Second Amendment.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.