TURTLECREEK TWP. — Republican U.S. Senate Candidate and Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel visited the Warren County Career Center today as part of his platform promoting job training and blue collar workforce growth.

“I think the skills and vocational training taking place here in Warren County can help lead the economic recovery for the state of Ohio,” Mandel said, noting his grandparents were blue collar workers after immigrating to the U.S. from Italy. “I think if young people in America want to go to college they should be afforded that opportunity, but at the same time, (for) young folks and adults who would rather operate machines, get their hands dirty and be part of the manufacturing tradition we have throughout southwest Ohio, we should encourage that as well.”

Mandel was given a tour of some of WCCC’s most successful programs including the cosmetology school, electric lineman program and heavy machinery programs Mandel test drove a bulldozer with a little assistance from instructors.

“If you look at the job placement percentages and superior skills training at centers like this, you see a perfect illustration of how the American manufacturing base can be restored and grown long term,” Mandel said. “If we’re going to be strong as a country, economically and militarily, we need to make things in this country.”

Mandel is running on a platform of creating more American jobs through overhauling and simplifying the tax code, reforming federal regulations on businesses and achieving American energy independence. He said Ohio’s economic comeback depends on strengthening small businesses and manufacturing companies to compete against other states and countries.

Mandel was invited to tour the facility by WCCC Superintendant Maggie Hess and Public Information Officer Peg Allen who wrote him a letter touting their facility after reading a quote in which Mandel said shop classes needed to be brought back to high school.

“I told him we have facilities like that and so much more,” Allen said. “We do those things, but at a higher level.”

Mandel said the WCCC set itself apart as one of the strongest educational centers of its type in Ohio.

Mandel said his opponent in November’s election, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was a career politician who had become “one of the most partisan and divisive characters in Washington.” Mandel said, by contrast, he was a fresh face to national politics who would combat insiders and lobbyists that he believes have hurt jobs and families in Ohio.

“Josh Mandel’s jobs plan isn’t worth the paper’s it’s printed on,” said Justin Barasky, a spokesman for Brown’s campaign. Barasky said Mandel had proven himself to be anti-middle class by standing with Governor (John) Kasich in the attack on police, firefighters and other union workers during the fight over Senate Bill 5 in 2011.

“Mandel can’t be trusted,” Barasky said, noting the candidate had been flagged by the website politifact.com for making more false statements than any other Ohio candidate.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.