Ohio State Treasurer Candidates

Name of Race: Ohio State Treasurer

Name of Candidate: Connie Pillich

Political Party: Democrat

Photo Credit: Jake Strassberger

Candidate Background: Connie Pillich, originally from Buffalo, New York but now a resident of Cincinnati, started her career in the Air Force. While on active duty, Pillich went to night school and received her MBA. She then went on to graduate from law school at the University of Cincinnati. “I’m a firm believer in education. Education is everyone’s ticket out of poverty and the key to success and we should do everything we can to make sure every child gets as much education they can,” Pillich said. In 2008, Pillich was elected to the state legislature and is known as the “bi-partisan problem solver,” according to her website. She is currently serving her third term in the 28th Ohio House District in Cincinnati.

Why Should I Care? Pillich plans to install an inspector general in the Treasurer’s office for the first time. “Someone whose job is to prevent situations that have percolated in that office over the last six years,” Pillich said. Pillich also plans to implement programs in the Treasurer’s office that will help young adults financially, including a program that will make higher education more affordable and help young adults to avoid gathering large amounts of debt from student loans.

For The Students: “I really want to encourage everyone to vote. It’s one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans, and as someone who has served in the military, I have seen countries where people have the right to participate,” Pillich said. “And the people you will select this year will have the biggest influence on the rest of your college experience and your early years right out of college.”

Name of Race: Ohio State Treasurer

Name of Candidate: Josh Mandel

Political Party: Republican

Photo Credit: Rebecca Wasserstein

Candidate Background: A Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq, Mandel was elected as Ohio State Treasurer in 2010 and became as the youngest candidate in office today. During his time in office, the state’s finances have improved, bringing Ohio from the 43rd to 7th in nationwide financial rankings. “We improved the bond rating for the first time in a decade for the Ohio Enterprise Bond Fund and we are the only state treasurer’s office in America to win the Association of Government Accountants award for excellence in financial management,” Mandel said.

Why Should I Care? Mandel plans to improve the government’s transparency if he is re-elected. “I am working on a project right now to book the state’s checkbook online,” Mandel said. “It will be the first time in the state of Ohio where citizens will be able to see every single penny spent in state government and to hold politicians accountable.” Mandel also is concerned with the cost of higher education for young adults. “There are way too many young people in our state and country that are graduating with enormous amounts of debt,” Mandel said. Mandel hopes to bring back trade jobs to Ohio. “I think we need to recognize the fact that you can be successful without getting a four-year college degree. I think we need to put shop class back in high schools and encourage people to go into a career with technical education and go into the skilled trades,” Mandel said.

For The Students: “I am young, and I am even younger looking, and I think the young people of Ohio should vote for me on Tuesday. I understand the issues that young Ohioans are facing and I’ll fight for them and I’ll do it in an environment where they can get a job after they graduate.”