Mandel picks up backhanded endorsement from Ohio newspaper

It's never a good sign when the first sentence of a major endorsement is a bruising rebuke accusing the candidate of putting himself before voters.

But that's how the Cleveland Plain Dealer led off a reluctant endorsement of Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R), whom the paper described as the only Republican in the race with a chance to unseat Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).

"This page has had serious issues with the way Josh Mandel seemingly puts election to higher office above every other consideration," the newspaper's editorial board wrote. "Even so, none of the four opponents arrayed against him in the statewide Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Sherrod Brown has managed to mount a serious run at the nomination."

Mandel has faced allegations from Democrats that he has been missing in action in his first term as the state's treasurer, prioritizing his larger ambitions over his current job — a critique the editorial extends back to positions Mandel has held over the past eight years.

The editorial then goes through the list of other Republicans vying for the nomination, none of whom has been able to launch a viable statewide campaign, and acknowledges Mandel's establishment support and fundraising prowess, calling him driven and intelligent.

"Mandel will win the nomination, as he should, despite his flaws," the paper wrote.

Republicans pointed out that Brown's wife, journalist Connie Schultz, worked as a columnist for the Plain Dealer, and said it wasn't surprising the paper would criticize Brown's opponent.

Recent polls show Brown with a lead of between 4 points and 13 points in a general-election matchup against Mandel.

- This post was updated at 2:28 p.m.

---