Like Both Republican Presidential Hopefuls, Josh Mandel Would Have Voted To Let Auto Industry Die
TOLEDO, OHIO – Today current and retired auto workers held a press conference to denounce absentee Treasurer Josh Mandel for his opposition to critical investments championed by Senator Sherrod Brown that saved the American automobile industry.
From Lucas County Democratic Party Headquarters, Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman and retired auto worker Ron Rothenbuhler, Lucas County Commissioner and retired auto worker Pete Gerken, UAW Local 12 President Bruce Baumhower and Corey Fletcher, a single mother and employee at the Toledo Assembly Complex, condemned Mandel, who would have voted against the auto rescue despite the nearly 850,000 Ohio jobs tied to the auto industry.
“Though it remains to be seen which Republican presidential hopeful will appear on the ballot this November, Tuesday’s primary election made one thing crystal clear – by nominating Josh Mandel in the race to take on Senator Sherrod Brown Ohio Republicans have ensured that the top two candidates leading the Republican ticket here in Ohio are individuals that opposed critical investments championed by Senator Sherrod Brown that saved the American automobile industry,” Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman Rothenbuhler said.
He continued, “Now that’s he has won the nomination, Ohioans want answers. Now that he’s the Republican nominee, Ohioans expect Josh Mandel to explain why 850,000 Ohio jobs tied to the auto industry weren’t worth fighting for.”
Corey Fletcher, a single mother who has worked for Chrysler at the Toledo Assembly Complex since 1997, recalled losing her job when Chrysler and General Motors faced the looming threat of bankruptcy.
“For 10 months I was out of the job. I remember how frightening it was, wondering how I would pay my bills, whether I would lose my home and how I would put my son through Barber School,” Fletcher said. “To politicians like Josh Mandel, I was a number on a sheet of paper – a statistic flashing across the TV screen. While Josh Mandel would have voted against the auto rescue, Senator Sherrod Brown fought to save our jobs – to save Chrysler and General Motors, help reopen plants and allow them to rehire workers like myself who had given decades to jobs that they loved.”
Fletcher continued, “Today I’m proud to be back at work for Chrysler, proud to work on the production line that builds the Jeep Wrangler and proud of champions like Senator Brown who had Ohio workers’ backs when we needed it the most.”
BACKGROUND
Almost 850,000 Jobs In Ohio Are Supported By The Auto Industry. According to the Center for Automotive Research, there are 848,304 jobs in Ohio supported by the auto industry. [Center for Automotive Research - Industry Contribution Report, April 2010, pg. 48]
Mandel Said He Was Developing A Plan To Save The Auto Rescue. The Youngstown Vindicator reported “Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, said he is developing a plan to ‘rescue the auto industry.’” [Youngstown Vindicator, 3/2/12]
- Mandel: “I’m Not Saying The Bailout Didn’t Work.” The Youngstown Vindicator reported “‘I’m not saying the bailout didn’t work,’ Mandel said.” [Youngstown Vindicator, 3/2/12]
- Next Sentence: Mandel Disagreed That Auto Rescue Saved The Auto Industry. The Youngstown Vindicator reported “But Mandel said he ‘respectfully disagreed’ that it saved the American auto industry.” [Youngstown Vindicator, 3/2/12]
May 2011: GM Announced Plans To Hire 400 Workers In Toledo. In May 2011, The Columbus Dispatch wrote “General Motors has announced that it will spend $260 million and add 400 workers to its Toledo facility that builds transmissions. In April, General Motors sold 25,000 Chevrolet Cruzes, which are built at the Lordstown plant near Youngstown.” [Columbus Dispatch, 05/27/11]
Chrysler Announced Plans To Add More Than 1,100 Jobs To Toledo Assembly Complex. In August 2011, The Toledo Blade reported “Chrysler Group LLC plans to invest at least $365 million to expand and improve its Toledo Assembly complex, adding a second shift with 1,105 new jobs to the plant that currently builds the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro SUVs, The Blade has learned.” [Toledo Blade, 08/11/11]
February 2010: GM Restarted A Third Shift At The Lordstown, OH Complex, Adding 1,200 Workers. “General Motors’ decision to restart a third shift at its Lordstown complex, taking on 1,200 more workers, is about more than simple product planning. It is a leap of faith for the company that came dangerously close to disappearing last year.” [Plain Dealer, 2/23/10]
Ford Announced Relocation Of Truck Assembly Operation From Mexico To Lorain County. In March 2012 The Toledo Blade wrote “Ford Motor Co. announced Tuesday it will move a truck-assembly operation from Mexico to Lorain County in 2013, saving 1,400 jobs.” [Toledo Blade, 03/09/12]
- Relocation Will Save 1,400 Jobs. In March 2012 The Toledo Blade wrote “Ford Motor Co. announced Tuesday it will move a truck-assembly operation from Mexico to Lorain County in 2013, saving 1,400 jobs.” [Toledo Blade, 03/09/12]