Ohio Governor John Kasich has officially joined the large field of presidential hopefuls vying for the Republican nomination.
The governor focused on his economic record in making today's announcement. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
After months of unofficially campaigning for president in the country’s first primary and caucus states, Gov. John Kasich finally made it official.
“I am here to ask you for your prayers, for your support, for your efforts because I have decided to run for President of the United States,” said Kasich.
The governor made his announcement in front of a crowd of about 2,000 supporters at The Ohio State University’s student union in Columbus.
Kasich didn’t do much to deviate from the same message he’s touted in Ohio ever since taking office in 2011. He’s hoping his record of creating jobs and putting more money in the state’s rainy day fund can impress voters in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Kasich promised balancing the budget and maintaining fiscal stability will be his number one goal as president.
“We will rebuild the economy of this country because creating jobs is our highest moral purpose and we will move to get that done,” Kasich said.
Kasich also stuck to his call for compassion and empathy. He said government can do more for those who suffer with drug addiction or deal with mental health issues. The governor said it’s something Ohio, the heartland, is already doing.
“We are going to take the lessons of the heartland and straighten out Washington, DC,” said Kasich.
Kasich joins a very crowded field of GOP hopefuls and needs to start getting better polling numbers in order to be eligible for Cleveland’s Republican presidential debate next month. Republican Congressman Pat Tiberi said that’s going to take a lot of hard work and one-on-one interactions.
“What’s great about those states versus Texas and California—the early primary states—it’s more retail politics so people actually get to shake your hand and look you in the eye and that’s where John excels,” said Tiberi.
The governor’s celebration did not go unchallenged. A group of about 100 protesters lined up across the street from the Ohio Union. The crowd included education and abortion rights advocates.
Former State Sen. Nina Turner, a Democrat from Cleveland, said there is another side to the Ohio economic rebound Kasich will tell on the campaign trail.
“The fact that we have almost $2 billion in the rainy day fund but it’s raining for local governments. Local governments have to increase their taxes. More school levies on the ballot. But we have balanced the budget on the backs of local governments—$1.8 billion worth of cuts to K through 12 education so for a lot of what the governor had to say—the public policy positions that have a real impact on people’s everyday lives—I just don’t see it,” Turner said.
The speech was vintage John Kasich. He did not use a teleprompter and did not stick to a script. He wrapped up his 40 minute address promising to do his best to serve everyday Americans who get out of bed and work for a decent living.
“The light of a city on a hill cannot be hidden. The light of a city on a hill cannot be hidden. America is that city and you are that light. God bless you and God bless America,” said Kasich.
The governor has a packed campaign schedule, visiting New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Michigan before the week ends.