JOSH CLAIMS: He’s not part of the war on women.

THE TRUTH: On issues from pay equality to access to contraceptives, Josh Mandel’s extreme positions are dangerous for the health and well-being of Ohio’s women and families.

1. Josh Mandel opposes the Paycheck Fairness Act that would help women receive equal pay for equal work. [Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/5/12]

2. Mandel refused to support the bipartisan Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and wasn’t even aware of what was in the bill. [Akron Beacon Journal, Op-Ed, 5/9/12] [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 5/8/12].

3. Josh Mandel supports the extreme Heartbeat Bill in Ohio that would be one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country and provides no exceptions for rape or incest. [Dayton Daily News, 4/12/11]

4. Mandel supports banning abortion without exceptions–even if the life of the mother is in danger. [Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 Federal Candidate Questionnaire]

5. Josh Mandel refused to stand up and disavow the Blunt amendment that would let employers decide not to cover contraceptives. [Akron Press Club transcript, 3/1/12]

Mandel Campaign Signaled That Mandel Would Have Voted “No” On The Paycheck Fairness Act.  In June 2012, The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote “Today’s vote immediately became fodder in the U.S. Senate campaign, which pits Brown against Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel. Brown’s campaign attacked Mandel for not taking a position on the legislation. Mandel’s campaign said Brown was trying to politicize the issue and signaled that he would have voted ‘no’ on the bill.  ‘The only paychecks this legislation protects are those of trial lawyers, an entrenched special interest in Washington that Sherrod Brown has received millions of dollars in support from,’ said Mandel’s campaign spokesman.”  [Cincinnati Enquirer, 6/5/12]

Mandel’s Campaign Claimed He Supported A “Clean Reauthorization” Of The Violence Against Women Act, “But Failed To Provide Any Details About What Additions In Senate Bill He Finds Objectionable.”  In a May 2012 op-ed published in the Akron Beacon Journal, editorial writer, Steve Hoffman, wrote that Josh Mandel’s “position on the Violence Against Women Act remains unclear, which makes the attack on Brown even more brazen.  Mandel’s campaign told the Plain Dealer he favors a ‘clean reauthorization’ of the bill, but failed to provide any details about what additions in Senate bill he finds objectionable.”  [Akron Beacon Journal, Op-Ed, 5/9/12]

When Asked Why He Refused To Support The Version Of The Violence Against Women Act That Passed The Senate, Mandel Replied “I’d Have To Read It.”  In May 2012, The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported “After the news conference, Mandel also was unable to clarify his position on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, which recently passed the Senate with GOP support. Mandel told The Plain Dealer through his campaign press secretary last month that he favored a ‘clean reauthorization’ of the bill, which contains money for protection programs and domestic violence shelters. What does ‘clean’ mean? What, specifically, in the bill bothered Mandel?  ‘I’d have to read it and get back to you,’ Mandel replied.”  [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 5/8/12]

Dayton Daily News: Mandel Supported “Heartbeat Bill” Along With Huckabee, Blackwell, And Chabot. In April 2011, The Dayton Daily News reported, “Backers of the ‘Heartbeat’ bill to prohibit abortion once a heartbeat is detected have added four high-profile names, including a potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, to the list of those urging passage of the legislation. Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Cincinnati, former Ohio Secretary of State and 2006 candidate for governor Ken Blackwell and Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and possible presidential candidate, have signed on as supporters of House Bill 125 , Faith2Action, the main group backing the bill, said Monday in a press release. [Dayton Daily News, 4/12/11]

The Heartbeat Bill Was One Of The Nations Most Restrictive Anti-Abortion Measures. In February 2012, The Plain Dealer reported, “The latest skirmish comes during one of the more active anti-abortion sessions of the Ohio legislature in recent memory. Already during this session, House lawmakers have voted to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected and made it tougher for minors to get a judge’s permission to get an abortion without parental consent. The so-called “heartbeat” bill, which has stalled in the Ohio Senate, is one of the nation’s most restrictive anti-abortion measures.” [Plain Dealer, 2/15/12]

Heartbeat Bill Mandel Endorsed Did Not Contain Exceptions For Rape or Incest.  In December 2011, the Associated Press reported “The GOP-controlled Ohio House passed the measure with a 54-44 vote in June. It’s been stalled in the Senate since then. The Senate president had several lawmakers research the bill and vet any legal issues. The heartbeat measure includes an exception for medical emergencies, but not in cases of rape or incest.” [Associated Press, 12/7/11]

Josh Mandel Did Not Take A Position On The Blunt Amendment. In March 2012, Josh Mandel said in response to a question about his position on the Blunt Amendment, “I have not read that specific piece of legislation, but I can tell you, that I believe, that in America, women should have the right to purchase birth control if they so choose, and I also believe that religious institutions, like the Catholic Church, should have the right, by Constitution, to follow their doctrine and their teachings.” [Akron Press Club transcript, 3/1/12]

Mandel Supported Banning Abortion From Fertilization To Birth Without Exceptions.  On the Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 questionnaire, Mandel checked “Yes” instead of “Yes with exceptions” on the question “Do you support federal and state legislation to ban abortion-on-demand from fertilization to birth.”  [Cincinnati Right to Life 2012 Federal Candidate Questionnaire]