Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, An Orthodox Jew, Wins GOP Primary for U.S. Senate

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel dusted five lesser-known opponents to secure the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, setting up a showdown this fall with incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Mandel’s victory was among several federal races in Northeast Ohio that – while short on drama – narrowed the field and set the table for tighter contests in November.

The race for U.S. Senate pits an up-and-comer with fundraising prowess in 34-year-old Mandel against Brown, 59, a savvy veteran with a strong political base and established track record.

The Ohio Democratic Party wasted no time in attacking Mandel on Brown’s behalf.

“This fall there’s a clear choice in Ohio between Sen. Sherrod Brown, a champion for Ohio’s middle class, and Josh Mandel – someone who spent the last year pushing an anti-middle class agenda, ignoring his job, and hiding behind his special interest allies in D.C.,” party chairman Chris Redfern said in a statement.

Mandel noted Brown’s “liberal” voting record in his victory statement.

“The lines being drawn in this race could not be any clearer,” Mandel said. “I’m running to shake up Washington and end the good-old-boy politics that have put our country on a path to bankruptcy.”

Elsewhere, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge easily defeated her two primary opponents. The win for Fudge, a Democrat from Warrensville Heights, all but ensures her another two-year term because there is no Republican opponent in the 11th Congressional District, although Independent Lateek Shabazz is a candidate.

Another incumbent, Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs, of Holmes County, also had no trouble winning his primary.

Gibbs beat back Hombre Liggett to win the GOP nomination for the 7th Congressional District, which includes part of Medina County. In the Nov. 6 election he will face Democrat Joyce Healy-Abrams.

Several congressional candidates unopposed on Tuesday can now sharpen their focus on winning more crowded general election races this fall.

Two incumbents, Republican Jim Renacci of Wadsworth and Democrat Betty Sutton of Copley Township, will square off in the new 16th Congressional District. Libertarian Jeffrey Blevins also is in the race.

A new congressional map approved by Ohio lawmakers last year put Renacci and Sutton in the new district, which includes a larger western portion of Cuyahoga County.

Longtime Congressman Steve LaTourette, a Republican from Bainbridge Township, has three challengers in the 14th District: Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard, Libertarian David Macko and Green Party candidate Elaine Mastromatteo.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat from Niles, will face Republican Marisha Agana, a pediatrician from the Warren area, in the 13th District. The district includes the Youngstown area and parts of Summit and Stark counties.

In the 4th Congressional District – new to Northeast Ohio since redistricting carved a piece of Lorain County into the district – Republican incumbent Jim Jordan will be challenged by Democrat James Slone and Libertarian Chris Kalla.

{Cleveland Plain Dealer/Matzav.com Newscenter}