Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) is dropping his Senate bid, citing his wife’s health issues.  Mandel announced his decision to leave the race for the seat held by Sen. Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownHillicon Valley: Senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests | Amazon pauses police use of its facial recognition tech | FBI warns hackers are targeting mobile banking apps Democratic senators raise concerns over government surveillance of protests Some realistic solutions for income inequality MORE (D-Ohio) in a letter to supporters on Friday.  “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 wrote.  
“Understanding and dealing with this health issue is more important to me than any political campaign.” Mandel went on to say that he will serve out his term as treasurer, which ends in 2018.  Justin Barasky, Brown’s campaign manager, issued a brief statement on Mandel’s departure from the race. 
Click Here: cheap Cowboys jersey“At this time, we wish Josh, Ilana and their family the best of health. We hope for Ilana’s full and speedy recovery,” Barasky said. The Ohio Republican had been the top candidate in the race to take on Brown — he was the party’s nominee in the 2012 Senate race against Brown, losing by about 6 points that year.  In his bid for a rematch, Mandel led Republican businessman Mike Gibbons both in fundraising and at the polls. He also won key endorsements from Republican Sens. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSenate subcommittee: IRS should increase oversight of tax-prep companies in Free File program Senate report: Chinese telecom firms operated in US without proper oversight for decades GOP’s Obama-era probes fuel Senate angst MORE (Ohio), Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: Georgia officials launch investigation after election day chaos | Senate report finds Chinese telecom groups operated in US without proper oversight Republican Senators ask FCC to ‘clearly define’ when social media platforms should receive liability protections Trump’s tweet on protester sparks GOP backlash  MORE (Fla.), Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonOVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (Ark.) and Patrick ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyGOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy NSA improperly collected US phone records in October, new documents show Overnight Defense: Pick for South Korean envoy splits with Trump on nuclear threat | McCain blasts move to suspend Korean military exercises | White House defends Trump salute of North Korean general MORE (Penn.).  Winning Brown’s Senate seat will be a challenge for any Republican, even though President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE carried the state by 8 points in 2016. Brown is a prolific fundraiser and a mainstay in Ohio politics after a long career as a state legislator and two terms as Ohio secretary of state.  Even so, Mandel narrowly led Brown in a May poll released by Gravis Marketing. In contrast, Brown led Mandel by 19 percent in a June Luntz Global survey.  Mandel’s departure leaves Gibbons as the top candidate in the race. Gibbons had been cobbling together a slew of local endorsements of his own as he sought to frame himself as the outsider choice for GOP primary voters.  Gibbons had $640,000 in the bank through September, after loaning his campaign about $570,000. His campaign’s fundraising report through the end of 2017 will be due at the end of January. Best-selling author J.D. Vance, the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” previously ruled out a bid for Senate despite urging from some Republicans. A spokesperson for Gov. John Kasich (R-Ohio) told Buzzfeed that he would not consider the race. It’s also possible that one of the candidates in the state’s crowded gubernatorial primary decides to run for Senate instead. With state attorney general Mike DeWine seen as the leader in that race, Rep. Jim Rennacci (R-Ohio) or Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor (R-Ohio) could consider abandoning their gubernatorial bids for a chance at the Senate seat.  A Taylor spokesperson told National Journal that she would “certainly” consider a Senate bid.