After his campaign first declined, U.S. Senate candidate and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel has now accepted an invitation to talk to the Akron Press Club.
Mandel is considered the front-runner for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Mandel's speech is scheduled for lunchtime on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at the University of Akron Martin Center.
Previous AkronNewsNow coverage: Mandel Blows Off Akron Press Club
(Akron Press Club) A Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from Ohio has accepted an invitation to address the Akron Press Club. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel will be the featured speaker at the Press Club's luncheon on March 1 at the University of Akron's Martin Center. There will be the opportunity for questions following the speech.
Mandel, who initially declined an invitation to address the Press Club, is running for the seat held by incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown. Brown spoke at the Press Club's Jan. 6, 2012, luncheon.
Mandel was elected the 48th treasurer of Ohio in November 2010. Prior to gaining his first statewide office, Mandel served as a state representative from the 17th Ohio House District following the 2006 election. He also was elected to the Lyndhurst City Council in 2003.
Mandel was in the Marine Corps Reserve from 2000-08. He graduated from the Corps Intelligence School and served two tours in Iraq as an intelligence specialist. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for "superior performance of his duties."
He holds a B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Case Western Reserve University.
"The Ohio senate race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the nation, and we are delighted that he will take this opportunity to speak to and hear from an Akron audience," said M.L. Schultze, president of the Akron Press Club and news director at WKSU public radio.
"We look forward to Josh Mandel's appearance at the Press Club," said Bruce Winges, past president of the Press Club and editor of the Akron Beacon Journal. "The Press Club is happy to provide this opportunity for Josh Mandel to reach out to the Akron community."
