mitchell filed her candidacy for state treasurer in 2013. two other candidates vied for the position. financial advisor and candidate for the u.s. senate in 2010 and for indiana's 6th congressional district in 2012 don bates and marion mayor and candidate for indiana's 5th congressional district in 2012 wayne seybold. in the republican primary convention, the first ballot was a "relative toss-up" and although no candidate won a majority on the second ballot, mitchell gained votes. bates, who was in third place, was dropped after the second ballot. mitchell won the third ballot, by 860 votes to 497. she defeated her democratic opponent, former member of the illinois house of representatives and candidate for lieutenant governor of illinois in 2010 mike boland on november 4, 2014.