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Gov. Kasich: ‘Get ready for an exciting time’
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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John Kasich, center, with his wife Karen, is congratulated by Justice Maureen O'Connor after bring sworn in as the new Governor of Ohio Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio.
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Governor John Kasich
A look at new Ohio Gov. John Richard Kasich
AGE — 58; born May 13, 1952.
HOMETOWN — Grew up in McKees Rocks, Pa.; settled in Westerville, Ohio.
EDUCATION — Bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University, 1974.
POLITICAL CAREER — Legislative aide, 1975-1978; Ohio state senator, 1979-1983; member of Congress, 1983-2000; candidate for U.S. president, 2000.
OTHER JOBS: Host of “From the Heartland” and substitute for “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News Channel, managing director at Lehman Brothers, lecturer, paid director for three public companies and one private company, 2000-2010.
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican.
FAMILY — Wife, Karen Waldbillig; twin daughters.
RELIGION — Christian.
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Gov. John Kasich offered a snapshot of his daily schedule as Ohio’s new chief executive: Pray, hug the family and get to work on Ohio’s economy.
“My only purpose, my only passion in all of this is to lift Ohio, to make us competitive again and to create jobs for our families,” Kasich told a capacity crowd in the historic Ohio Theatre, just across the street from the Statehouse on Monday, his first day as governor. “Because when our families have jobs, they have hope, they have dreams, and they have strength.”
He added later: “Get ready for an exciting time. Put on your seat belts. We’re going.”
More than 2,700 people were on hand for Kasich’s inaugural speech, in which he urged Ohioans to pray, look out to the needs of others and get excited about the future of their state.
He vowed to do the same.
“I am only a servant,” he said. “I report to the people. I do not report to special interests under any circumstances, and I want you all to understand something. I can never work to advance myself.”
The governor’s ceremonial inauguration capped two days of swearing-in ceremonies for five statewide candidates, solidifying a Republican sweep of Ohio government.
Secretary of State Jon Husted and Attorney General Mike DeWine took their oaths Sunday, and Auditor Dave Yost and Treasurer Josh Mandel did the same on Monday.
Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor took their actual oaths of office a few minutes after midnight in the Senate Chambers at the Statehouse, a few feet from the desk where he served as a state lawmaker more than three decades ago.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor administered the oaths, with Kasich using a family Bible given to him by friends after the deaths of his parents.
Kasich then led his cabinet selections in their oaths, signed some mandatory paperwork and gathered his new administration in the governor’s ceremonial office.
“Honesty, integrity, teamwork, serving the people of the state, improving their lives,” Kasich told his cabinet members. “We’ve got a big job ahead of us.”
His ceremonial inauguration took place at midday, with Kasich echoing many of the themes of his successful gubernatorial campaign — strengthening the state economy, promoting job creation and business growth, combating prescription drug abuse and rebuilding Ohio’s cities.
“Ohio has wide horizons,” he said. “We have unlimited opportunities. Ohio is an exciting place, and I have come to understand as a grown man what Ohio is all about. We are about common sense. ... We’re about helping our neighbors and loving God and building a better future for our children.”