Kasich to run for Ohio Gov

It's Official: Westerville's Kasich to Run

Wednesday, June 3, 2009 2:02 PM
By LIN RICE
ThisWeek Staff Writer

Kasich, 57, delivered a well-received address to a crowd numbering in the hundreds at the Everal Barn in Westerville on June 1, making his plans for a 2010 gubernatorial race official. The media and political groups have been talking about the Republican's intentions since he filed paperwork with the Ohio Secretary of State's office on May 1 to create Kasich for Ohio.

Taking the stage to the music of U2's "Beautiful Day," Kasich's first comment made his gubernatorial plans official.

"I'm here to tell you that I'm running for governor of the state of Ohio," Kasich said, pointing his finger at the audience.

He continued his address by reminiscing about his time in Congress; criticizing Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat; and talking about the state's current situation before continuing by outlining his vision of Ohio's future with him in the Statehouse.

"People (in Ohio) are frustrated, people are disillusioned and a lot have lost faith in the system," Kasich said. "I need to work with all of you so we can build a new team and take back this state."

Kasich discussed the need to create new jobs in Ohio, retain the state's young workers and reform education.

"We need to kill the death tax that drives every successful entrepreneur out of this state," he said.

He also said that a prosperous Ohio would need "a march over time to destroy that income tax that has slowly devoured this state."

Kasich said he plans to create an environment in Ohio that will allow technology-based business to flourish.

Kasich added that he is looking forward to the campaign.

"It is going to be so hard, but it's going to be so much fun," he said.

Kasich left Congress in 2001 after serving 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and launching a short-lived campaign for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000. He recently resigned from Fox News, where he had been an on-air personality since January 2001. He has recently worked as a business strategy consultant for Columbus-based Schottenstein Stores Corp.

Kasich also spent six years as managing director of Lehman Brothers' investment banking division before the company's collapse last year -- something the Ohio Democratic Party has begun to use in its campaign against him by way of a Web site unveiled hours before Kasich's announcement Monday.

Kasich also spent six years as managing director of Lehman Brothers' investment banking division before the company's collapse last year -- something the Ohio Democratic Party has begun to use in its campaign against him by way of a Web site unveiled hours before Kasich's announcement Monday.

Democrat attack machine, aka, Left wing conspiracy.