Ohio GOP Senate candidate’s former staffers allege toxic work environment: report

Former fundraisers for the Senate campaign of Ohio Republican candidate Josh Mandel alleged that campaign finance director Rachel Wilson created a toxic work environment.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Columbus Dispatch that Wilson regularly cursed, berated and name-called subordinates while demanding 12-hour work days.

Finance staff members regularly cried in the office according to the sources.

Though Wilson did not respond to the Dispatch’s requests for comment, campaign manager Scott Guthrie said that Mandel and Wilson had been dating since August.

“This is a process question and we don’t go into internal campaign processes,” Guthrie told the Dispatch. “We wish them the very best.”

Sources told the newspaper that neither Mandel nor Guthrie intervened to stop Wilson’s behavior, though they were aware of it.

Mandel’s campaign did not immediately respond when reached for comment by The Hill.

Mandel and Wilson also argued with each other in loud shouting matches over campaign-related issues, the Dispatch reports.

“They’d go out in the hallway and scream at each other,” a source said.

Mandel, who formerly served as treasurer of Ohio and a state representative, is running to replace Ohio Sen. Rob Portman (R) who announced in January he would be retiring.

“They are both single adults and try their best to keep their private lives private,” Guthrie said of Mandel and Wilson.

Multiple sources alleged to the Dispatch that Wilson is known for creating conflict in the workplace.

“Working with Rachel, she very much created a traumatic and hostile work environment,” one source said.