Brown has twice what Mandel has in bank for Senate run

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. JIM OTTE / STAFF

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. JIM OTTE / STAFF

Sen. Sherrod Brown is raising serious cash for his potential 2018 rematch with 2012 foe Josh Mandel.

The Ohio Democrat raised $2.4 million for the first quarter of 2017 — far higher than the $1.35 million he raised this time back in 2011, on the cusp of his first re-election bid, according to his campaign spokesman.

Mandel, the Ohio Treasurer, announced Monday that he has raised nearly $1.5 million this quarter and has $2.44 million in the bank.

Brown has $5 million on hand.

“We’re thrilled with the campaign’s record-setting first quarter that reflects Sherrod Brown’s extensive grassroots support across Ohio,” said Justin Barasky, Brown’s campaign manager.

Mandel said he is well positioned for a successful run in a rematch against Brown. The Senate race in Ohio is expected to be among the most watched and expensive in the country.

“I am grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from dedicated conservatives who understand the importance of our fight,” Mandel said in a press release announcing his fundraising totals, raised between Jan. 1 and March 31. “Ohio cannot afford Sherrod Brown’s failed, obstructionist views any longer.”

So far, Mandel is the only declared Republican candidate against Brown, who is running for his third six-year term in the Senate. Last week, FreedomWorks PAC, the political arm of a D.C.-based Tea Party group, announced that it had reached a fundraising agreement with Mandel and 10 other candidates, including Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy.

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