The term limited state treasurer has revealed what could be his next political pursuit.
Josh Mandel leaves office at the end of this year, and quit his campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in January, citing his wife’s health condition.
As it turns out that a month or so later, Mandel filed paperwork establishing a committee to run for the U.S. House, and in May filed paperwork indicating he might run for the 11th Congressional district.
Mandel had more than $3.5 million in his campaign account when he ended his run for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in January.
Mandel hasn’t commented on his future plans.
This is a strongly Democratic district, represented for years by Marcia Fudge, that is heavily gerrymandered and extends from Cleveland down to Akron.
There is a chance that the Congressional district could change for the 2020 Election. The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed a lawsuit in June requesting the state's congressional districts be redrawn to avoid gerrymandered districts that split communities.
Campaign finance expert Catherine Turcer with Common Cause Ohio said he can keep his campaign account open by filing to run in the heavily Democratic district.
“Josh Mandel has staked his claim on an office that he apparently doesn’t actually want. And generally that’s not the case, but it’s a good placeholder for him,” Turcer says.
Turcer says candidates who don’t want to start a new campaign can refund money, or give to other candidates, committees or the party, or to non-profits.
