Kasich keeps low profile since ending 2016 bid

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has transitioned quickly from being in the public spotlight to keeping a low profile.

Since ending his Republican presidential bid, his office says the governor has been meeting privately with his staff. So far, no public events are on his schedule.

Regardless of his next steps, Kasich should have an easier transition from the presidential campaign trail back to the Statehouse compared with other GOP governors who have wrapped up their 2016 bids for the White House.

Here’s a look at some things to know as Kasich shifts his focus back to Ohio

FEWER BRUISES

Kasich returns to work with fewer political bruises and state policy woes than other GOP governors who sought the party’s nomination.

Kasich’s standing with Republicans who control the Ohio Legislature never appeared to suffer during his time away. Both Senate and House Republican leaders endorsed Kasich for president and campaigned for him. Ohio also saw no major crises during his run.

NO HARD FEELINGS

Kasich’s fellow GOP legislative leaders never suggested the governor was anything but fully available during the campaign. The governor’s spokesmen in Ohio have said Kasich remained in frequent contact with the leaders, his Cabinet members and other senior administration staff as he tromped around the country in his quest for the presidency.

The governor’s popularity with Ohio voters held relatively steady during the bulk of his campaign.

PRESSURE STARTED BUILDING

While the Akron Beacon Journal endorsed Kasich in the state’s March 15 primary, the newspaper recently editorialized that he should exit the race after a stretch of primary losses. “Try as the Kasich campaign did to frame the outcome to the governor’s advantage, no amount of massaging can overcome the obvious.”

Kasich’s lackluster election performances would have been one thing in a vacuum. But, as Ohio’s governor, he’s furnished with a security detail paid for by state taxpayers. The unit’s costs are approaching $500,000 for the year, based on what can be gleaned from Ohio’s online checkbook. And lawmakers recently released an additional $2.2 million for the Ohio Highway Patrol’s security and investigations budget.

Kasich’s campaign and the governor’s office have refused to discuss his security costs.

The Ohio Democratic Party has called on the governor to release details of his security expenses and fork over money to cover them.