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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) on Monday endorsed state Treasurer Josh Mandel to challenge Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), ending any speculation he might run for Senate himself.
Jordan, Republican Study Committee chairman, sparred with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) over the debt ceiling bill last month. After their spat was made public, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Republicans considered drawing a difficult new district for Jordan because the state is losing two seats.
Ohio conservatives responded by suggesting that Jordan run for Senate instead of for re-election. Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, who eschewed his own bid for Senate earlier this year, tweeted on July 28, “If Boehner eliminates @Jim_Jordan’s district, we will finally have a proven conservative running for the US Senate.”
But Jordan’s statement in support of Mandel will likely put a stop to any such encouragement to a Senate bid.
“I believe Treasurer Josh Mandel is a fiscal conservative who is committed to changing the deficit culture in Washington,” Jordan said. “Josh understands that the federal government should balance its budget just like families and small businesses have to do every day — just as Josh did as state treasurer.”
Mandel racked up several conservative Republican endorsements this summer, including most recently from Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio).
Former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin is also running for the GOP nomination.
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