Candidates for U.S. Senate, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) and incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown (D), agree that the economy and jobs are the key issues for college students in this election. However, the candidates have different strategies to tackle these issues.

Justin Barasay, communications director for the Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign, said Brown has sponsored legislation to benefit college students and improve the job market in Ohio.

“[Brown] supported the largest federal loan increase to students and expanded Pell Grants to help students pay for education,” Barasay said. “He introduced legislation for students with loans from private industries to switch over to government loans with lower interests rates,” Barasay said.

Travis Considine, communications director for Mandel, said finding a job after college is a challenge in the current economic climate.

“Josh believes that the jobs crisis is the most important challenge facing graduates,” Considine said. “He wants to do everything he can so that graduates can hit the ground running and join the workforce where there are opportunities available for them.” The Brown campaign focused on his support for Ohio’s auto industry and manufacturing jobs. According to Barasay, the biggest differences between Mandel and Brown are in their plans to protect jobs.

“Senator Brown helped protect 150 thousand jobs in Ohio,” Barasay said. “Sherrod is [a] champion for auto industry. One of the ways our economy is going to turn around is to strengthen our manufacturing. When our manufacturing is strong, other aspects of economy will improve.”

The Mandel campaign, which said Brown is the problem in Washington, said the focus should be on the country’s finances.

“Josh will go to Washington, help create an environment that helps the private sector go and create jobs,” Considine said. “[He plans to] reform the tax code, eliminate unnecessary regulations that burden small business, and end wasteful spending that racks up national debt.”

Laura Kretz, president of College Democrats at Miami University, said she supports the re-election of Sen. Brown.

“I think that students should vote for Senator Brown,” Kretz said. “He has done a lot with education. He is a supporter of college students and his voting record shows it.”

Kretz also said the races in Ohio are a good prediction of how other nationwide elections will end.

“Because Ohio is a swing state, it is a precursor to other elections,” Kretz said.

Meghan Wadsworth, co-chair of College of Republicans, said Mandel will represent Ohio along with other Republican leadership.

“On the federal level it is important for Rob Portman to have a teammate in the Senate,” Wadsworth said. “Ohio is on a comeback with John Kasich from the governor’s office and Rob Portman in the senate. Mandel will help Ohio get back on track to improve the economy and job rates in our home state.”

The winner of the Senate seat will be determined Nov. 6, 2012 in the general election.