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Portman says Kasich doing great job, but doesn’t endorse him for president
YOUNGSTOWN
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman praised the job John Kasich has done as Ohio governor, but isn’t endorsing him – or anyone else – for president.
“I think he’d be a great candidate,” Portman said Thursday about Kasich, a fellow Republican.
Portman said Kasich’s experience in the U.S. House and as governor makes him a strong candidate.
“He’s got a record that’s unparalleled,” Portman said.
The senator said Kasich’s time as governor of Ohio “is the key” to making him a strong candidate.
Portman also took a shot at ex-Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat challenging the senator for his seat in 2016, saying Kasich inherited a state in financial crisis from Strickland and has greatly improved the economy.
When pressed on an endorsement of Kasich, however, Portman said he’s on the ballot next year for the Senate and has a lot of friends running or planning to run for president.
Portman added that he’s not getting into the “endorsement game.”
Kasich was in New Hampshire on Thursday and remains there today campaigning. This was Kasich’s fourth trip to New Hampshire, which has the nation’s first primary. The governor says New Hampshire is the key to his potential presidential campaign.
Kasich has also campaigned in South Carolina in Georgia, early primary states, and will go June 24 to Iowa, which has the nation’s first presidential caucus.
An announcement about Kasich’s presidential candidacy is expected in the coming weeks.
Kasich has lagged in national polls with about 1 percent to 2 percent of the vote, and usually out of the top 10. The first Republican presidential debate, Aug. 6 in Cleveland, will include the party’s top 10 candidates based on polls.
Kasich along with every other prominent Republicans in Ohio has endorsed Portman for re-election to a second six-year term in the Senate. Portman had considered running for president in 2016, but announced in December 2014 that he would instead seek re-election.
With the exception of Treasurer Josh Mandel, the other statewide elected officials, who are all Republicans, have endorsed Kasich for president. Mandel is backing U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.