Josh Mandel
BY IGOR VOLSKY
Think Progress
Ohio Republican senate candidate Josh Mandel is one of the few Republicans to still oppose the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, a policy that prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. During a debate on Thursday, Mandel said it was not a “good idea” to eliminate the ban and threw his support behind the state’s constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriages. Mandel explained that while he opposes equality for LGBT people, he will represent the interests of all Ohioans in Washington.
“Well, on the military side, I disagree with [the repeal]. As far as the decision here in state of Ohio, I’m a supporter of marriage between one man and one woman. I believe in traditional marriage. At the same time, I want you to know I will do everything I can to represent every single person in the state of Ohio — all 11 and a half million people. Regardless of their background, regardless of their socioeconomic background, regardless of their race, their religion or any other characteristic … I’m going to be blind to race, religion, any other type of orientation here in the state of Ohio and when I go to Washington,” Mandel asserted.
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