To: Interested Parties
From: American Bridge 21st Century
RE: Josh Mandel: Raising money & raising eyebrows
Date: September 12, 2011
Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel has yet to do much in his campaign against Sen. Sherrod Brown. Well, he’s yet to do much besides raise money. And it seems he can’t even do that without raising eyebrows.
Last month it was revealed that 16 employees of Suarez Corporation, most of very modest means, all donated to the $5,000 to Mandel and/or Rep. Jim Renacci. As the Toledo Blade noted, “many of whom have never before given to federal campaigns.” The paper contacted one of the employees and wrote “When asked whether the company provided money or encouraged her to give, she said she couldn’t talk about the matter at work.”
Mandel’s campaign has repeatedly skirted the issue and even recently proclaimed they were “proud” of the donations, despite their suspicious nature. Considering that Mandel is the Ohio State Treasurer, he should have a better idea where his money is coming from.
MANDEL TOOK $100,000 FROM EMPLOYEES OF ONE COMPANY, MANY OF WHOM HAVE NEVER GIVEN BEFORE AND HAVE INEXPENSIVE HOUSES
Toledo Blade: $100,000 Mandel Donations From One Company “Unusual.” According to the Toledo Blade, Josh Mandel reported some “unusual” donations on his second quarter finance report. Benjamin Suarez, owner of “a direct marketing company that does $100 million annually in sales” has been a major Republican donor. In the current cycle, however, “a large number of his employees and their wives — many of whom have never before given to federal campaigns — have contributed to two specific congressional candidates: Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, and U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R., Wadsworth), who represents Ohio’s 16th District. All together, 17 employees from Canton-based Suarez Corporation have contributed to one or both candidates, according to federal campaign filings. Sixteen of those employees (and six of their spouses) have given $5,000, the maximum amount allowed under federal election law. For some of the employees and their spouses, that adds up to $20,000. In all, Mr. Suarez, his employees, and their spouses gave $100,000 to Mr. Mandel’s campaign and $100,250 to Mr. Renacci’s campaign.” [Toledo Blade, 8/19/11]
Toledo Blade: Employees’ Homes Varied In Value. According to the Toledo Blade, “A review of publicly available Stark County Auditor records shows that about half the employees who contributed to the two campaigns own homes valued at $66,000 to $183,000. Five own homes valued at more than $300,000. Mr. Suarez’s home is valued at $2.3 million.” [Toledo Blade, 8/19/11]
Mandel Was Asked About His Questionable Donations From Suarez Corporation, Responded By Attacking Senator Sherrod Brown. When asked by WKYC about questionable and possibly illegal donations to his Senate campaign, Mandel responded by avoiding the question and attacking Senator Sherrod Brown by saying “the majority last quarter of Sherrod Brown’s campaign contributions came from outside of the state of Ohio. The majority of ours came from inside the state of Ohio. The vast majority of our support comes from individual citizens. So much of his support comes from political action committees and all these folks in Washington and around the country.” [WKYC, 9/2/11]
Springfield News-Sun: Mandel’s Answer On “Puzzling” Contributions “Did Not Answer The Question With Precision.” According to the Springfield News-Sun, “A broadcaster from WKYC-TV in Cleveland last week asked Republican Senate candidate Josh Mandel to explain some puzzling financial contributions to his U.S. Senate campaign… Let’s just say Mandel’s reply did not answer the question with precision.” Mandel’s answer to the question started with “The majority last quarter of Sherrod Brown’s campaign contributions came from outside of the state of Ohio. The majority of ours came from inside the state of Ohio. The vast majority of our support comes from individual citizens. So much of his support comes from political action committees and all these folks in Washington and around the country. So we’re proud that there’s individual citizens here in Northeast Ohio who’ve chosen to support our campaign.” [Springfield News-Sun, 9/12/11]
SUAREZ CORPORATION
Suarez Corporation Subsidiary Sold “Performance For Him” Supplement. According to their website, Biotech Research, a division of Suarez Corporation Industries, sells “Performance for Him is an all-natural male supplement. The ingredients in Performance for Him naturally help increase the male libido without a doctor’s prescription.” [Biotech Research, accessed 8/30/11]
Suarez Corporation Industries Sold Direct Market Products. Suarez Corporation Industries is a “direct sales company, Suarez has been in Northeast Ohio for more than 40 years, selling EdenPure appliances, inexpensive jewelry through its Lindenwold brand, dietary supplements and medical devices through its BioTech Research brand and collectible coins and trinkets through its United States Commemorative Gallery brand.” [Plain Dealer, 5/10/11]
Published: Sep 12, 2011 | Last Modified: Apr 21, 2021