Ohio Treasurer Hopeful Visits Voters at Home

By Terricha Bradley, Mansfield News Journal, Sep 6, 2009, Original Article

MANSFIELD -- Local candidates got moving on their campaigns Saturday, helped along by state Rep. Josh Mandel -- who could be described as walking for office.

In his second term representing District 17, the Lyndhurst Republican is campaigning for Ohio treasurer. He joined Ontario mayoral hopeful Larry Collins and Mansfield City Council incumbent Scott Hazen to walk around neighborhoods, knock on doors and promote their campaigns.

"I've been to Richland County many times, and I'm back to help local candidates get into office," Mandel said. "I'm interested in helping leaders in all levels of government focus their energy on creating jobs and keeping jobs."

On Saturday morning, Mandel, Collins and several campaign volunteers walked the streets of Ontario to reach out to the voters.

"I believe I can make a difference for the City of Ontario," said Collins, who's in his second week of neighborhood canvassing. "I've had experience in fiscal responsibility and I'm not a politician. I'm a newcomer to that."

A former member of the finance committee as a Lyndhurst City Councilman, Mandel also sounds the horn on fiscal responsibility. He has a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He also served eight years in the Marine Corps Reserves as an intelligence specialist and spent two tours in Iraq.

Stopping along Shelby-Ontario Road, Mandel knocked on the doors of several homes near Ontario High and Stingel Elementary schools.

"I spoke to a retired General Motors worker whose son lost his job and moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana," Mandel said. "These men and women are keeping our economy strong by making cars. We need to do more to fight for their jobs."

Next, he traveled to Mansfield's Third Ward -- Hazen's turf -- to speak with residents. Mandel had on a new pair of casual shoes. In 2006, he said, he wore out three pairs while walking around Cleveland and knocking on about 20,000 doors.

"You're in a good spot, with unemployment where it's at and fiscal problems," Hazen told Mandel. "Your word will resonate here."

But the 31-year-old also heard potential voters say, "My God, you look 17!" -- a reaction the young campaign veteran is used to.