Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) announced Friday afternoon he has dropped out of the state senate race to care for his wife.
According to a news release, Mandel recently learned of his wife Illana's health issues and plans to end his bid for state senate. He had been running against
"Understanding and dealing with this health issue is more important to me than any political campaign. For as long as that takes, whether its months or years, it is important that I heed my dad's advice and be there for my wife and our kids," Mandel said.
When Mandel and his wife had their first child, his father gave him two words of advice — "be there."
"I’m writing today to let you know that I am ending my campaign for US Senate in order to be there for my wife and our three children. This was a difficult decision for us, but it’s the right one," Mandel said.
Mandel said he plans to serve out the remainder of his term as state treasurer and hopes to have an opportunity to serve Ohio again in the future.
Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is seeking a third term, after defeating Mandel in 2012. Brown unseated Republican Mike DeWine in 2006. DeWine is now Ohio's attorney general and is running for governor.
