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John Kasich

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John Kasich
File:John Kasich 2016.jpg
Kasich in 2016
Born
John Richard Kasich Jr.

(1952-05-13) May 13, 1952 (age 74)
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)Author, politician, television host, analyst
Years active1978–present
Known for69th Governor of Ohio (2011–2019); U.S. Representative for Ohio's 12th congressional district (1983–2001)

John Richard Kasich Jr. ( ; born May 13, 1952) is an American author and politician who held the office of the 69th governor of Ohio between 2011 and 2019. Prior to that, he was the representative for Ohio's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 until 2001. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Kasich pursued the presidential nomination from his party in both 2000 and 2016.

Originally from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, Kasich relocated to Ohio in 1970 to pursue higher education. Following a single term in the Ohio Senate, he was elected to serve nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, dedicating 18 years to the House Armed Services Committee and chairing the House Budget Committee for six years. He was instrumental in advancing legislation such as the 1996 welfare reform and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Kasich opted not to run for re-election in 2000, instead launching a presidential campaign which he later ended prior to the primaries.

After leaving Congress, Kasich became the host of Heartland with John Kasich on Fox News from 2001 to 2007 and took on the role of managing director at the Columbus branch of Lehman Brothers. In 2010, he secured the governorship of Ohio by defeating incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland and won a second term in 2014 by a significant margin against Ed FitzGerald. Due to term limits, he left office in 2018, with Republican Mike DeWine succeeding him.

During his 2016 presidential run, Kasich finished fourth behind Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio; he notably won Ohio’s primary and earned second place in New Hampshire. He chose not to endorse Trump as the party nominee and did not attend the 2016 Republican National Convention held in Ohio. Between 2019 and 2023, Kasich served as a contributor for CNN, and since March 2023 has worked as an analyst for NBC News. Recognized as a leading Republican opponent of Trump, Kasich publicly supported Democrat Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention during the 2020 presidential election.

Early life, education, and early political career

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh suburb of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, John Richard Kasich Jr. is the son of Anne ( Vukovich) and John Richard Kasich. Both parents were descendants of immigrants—his father descended from Czech roots while his mother came from Croatian ancestry—and they practiced Roman Catholicism. Kasich has identified himself as having both Croatian and Czech heritage.

Kasich attended public schools in McKees Rocks before moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1970 to enroll at Ohio State University, where he became a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. As a freshman student, he wrote directly to President Richard Nixon, expressing his concerns about national issues and requesting a personal meeting. The letter was delivered by the university president, resulting in a brief 20-minute meeting with Nixon in December 1970.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Ohio State University in 1974. Following graduation, Kasich worked as a researcher at the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. From 1975 through 1978, he served as an administrative assistant to then-state Senator Buz Lukens.

Ohio Senate tenure

In 1978, Kasich contested the seat held by Democratic incumbent Robert O'Shaughnessy for the State Senate. At just 26 years old, he secured victory with 56% of the vote, serving the 15th district for a four-year term. He became the second youngest individual ever elected to the Ohio Senate. Early in his service, Kasich declined a salary increase and opposed a budget plan he believed would increase taxes, instead presenting his own fiscal alternative.

U.S. House of Representatives (1983–2001)

Kasich pursued a congressional seat in Ohio's 12th congressional district in 1982, which includes parts of Columbus and surrounding areas. He won the Republican primary decisively with 83% and narrowly defeated incumbent Democrat Bob Shamansky by a margin of 50% to 47%. He was subsequently re-elected eight times, consistently earning at least 64% of the vote.

Recognized as a fiscal conservative, Kasich targeted programs endorsed by both major parties and collaborated with Ralph Nader to close corporate tax loopholes.

During his 18-year tenure on the House Armed Services Committee, Kasich gained a reputation for being "fairly hawkish" while actively opposing wasteful defense expenditures. He resisted expensive Pentagon initiatives such as the B-2 bomber and A-12 bomber, working with members from both parties to reduce or eliminate these projects. Kasich was instrumental in passing the Goldwater–Nichols Act of 1986, which restructured the U.S. Department of Defense, contributed to establishing the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and opposed a $110 million Pentagon expansion following the Cold War's conclusion. He also advocated for creating a national commission on arms control and pushed for stricter regulations on materials that could be used in biological warfare.

Kasich supported U.S. military actions during the first Persian Gulf War and the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, but opposed intervention in Lebanon and Bosnia. In 1997, he co-sponsored legislation aimed at withdrawing American troops from a multilateral peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. Additionally, he endorsed the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which imposed sanctions on apartheid-era South Africa.

Ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee

In 1993, Kasich assumed the role of ranking Republican member on the House Budget Committee. Alongside fellow Republicans, he introduced an alternative to President Bill Clinton's deficit reduction legislation, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The Penny-Kasich Plan, developed with Tim Penny, proposed $90 billion in spending cuts over five years—almost triple the $37 billion suggested by Clinton’s administration. Approximately one-third ($27 billion) targeted Medicare payments to seniors earning above $75,000 per year, which drew opposition from the AARP. Another $26 billion was planned from reductions in defense and foreign aid spending, prompting criticism from Secretary of Defense Les Aspin, while $27 billion involved federal workforce reductions. The proposal narrowly failed in the House by a vote of 219–213.

As ranking member, Kasich also put forward a market-driven health care reform plan competing with the Clinton health care plan of 1993, aiming for universal coverage by 2005 through an individual mandate requiring employer-provided insurance. This strategy initially received backing from conservative organizations such as The Heritage Foundation.

On November 17, 1993, Kasich cast his vote in favor of implementing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In 1994, Kasich was among Republican leaders who supported a bipartisan agreement with President Clinton to enact the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. After consultations with Clinton’s Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, 42 Republicans crossed party lines to approve the ban. Kasich’s support resulted in an "F" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund that year.

Chairmanship of the House Budget Committee

Following the Republican takeover of the House in 1995, Kasich assumed leadership of the House Budget Committee. In 1996, he played a pivotal role by introducing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, a significant welfare reform measure that President Clinton subsequently signed into law.

During the 1996 presidential race, Kasich was reportedly considered by Republican nominee Bob Dole as a potential vice-presidential pick, though ultimately Jack Kemp was selected.

Kasich's national prominence rose in 1997 when he was recognized as the principal architect behind the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which achieved a balanced federal budget for the first time since 1969.

In 1998, Kasich cast votes to impeach President Clinton on all four articles of impeachment. As the Senate prepared to deliberate in 1999, he publicly confirmed his belief that these charges warranted impeachment.

2000 presidential bid

Kasich chose not to seek re-election in 2000. In February 1999, he established an exploratory committee to evaluate a presidential run and officially launched his campaign for the Republican nomination in March of that year. However, due to insufficient fundraising success, he withdrew in July 1999 prior to the Iowa Straw Poll and endorsed then-Texas Governor George W. Bush.

Career in the private sector (2001–2009)

Upon leaving Congress, Kasich transitioned to media roles at Fox News, where he hosted Heartland with John Kasich and occasionally guest-hosted The O'Reilly Factor, substituting for Bill O'Reilly when necessary. He also made periodic appearances on Hannity & Colmes.

Corporate involvement

Kasich held board positions with various companies, including Invacare Corp. and Norvax Inc., based in Chicago. In 2001, he joined the investment banking division of Lehman Brothers as managing director located in Columbus, Ohio. He remained with Lehman Brothers until its 2008 bankruptcy, earning a salary of $182,692 along with a $432,200 bonus that year, attributed to his performance during 2007.

His association with Lehman Brothers became a point of criticism during subsequent political campaigns due to the firm's failure amid the 2008 financial crisis. Kasich defended his role by emphasizing his lack of involvement in high-level decision-making and likened his position to that of a local car dealer having no connection to General Motors' downfall.

Political engagement from 2001 through 2009

Although Republicans encouraged Kasich to run for Ohio governor in 2006, he declined to enter the race. In 2008, he launched Recharge Ohio, a political action committee (PAC) designed to support Republican candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, aiming to preserve GOP control within the Ohio General Assembly. Kasich served as the PAC's honorary chairman.

Campaign for governor in 2010

Kasich officially filed his candidacy for governor of Ohio on May 1, 2009, challenging incumbent Democrat Ted Strickland, and publicly announced his run on June 1, 2009. On January 15, 2010, he selected Ohio State Auditor Mary Taylor as his lieutenant governor candidate.

In March 2009, Kasich voiced a desire to "break the back of organized labor in the schools," prompting opposition from Ohio teachers' unions that supported Strickland's campaign. After winning office, Kasich demanded an apology from unions for their aggressive campaign tactics but expressed openness to collaborating with "unions that make things."

Kasich secured the Republican nomination without opposition on May 4, 2010, and narrowly defeated Strickland in the November 2 general election. His inauguration took place at midnight on January 10, 2011, at the Ohio Statehouse, followed by a formal ceremony later that day at the Ohio Theatre.

2014 Re-election

In the November 2014 election, Kasich secured a second term by defeating Democrat Ed FitzGerald, then Cuyahoga County executive, with a decisive 64% to 33% margin, winning in 86 out of Ohio's 88 counties.

Kasich, initially elected in 2010 with backing from the Tea Party, encountered criticism from some activists after endorsing the Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This stance led certain Tea Party factions to withdraw their support. During the Ohio Republican Party chairmanship contest, Kasich endorsed his longtime associate Matt Borges over Tom Zawistowski, the Portage County Tea Party chairman, who garnered only three votes. Some Tea Party groups threatened to support either a primary challenger or the Libertarian candidate.

Ultimately, Zawistowski was unable to present a candidate, and the Libertarian nominee, former Republican State Representative Charlie Earl, was disqualified from the ballot due to insufficient valid signatures.

Political Positions and Record

Kasich is frequently characterized as a moderate within the Republican Party because of his opposition to far-right conservatives and Donald Trump, although his legislative and gubernatorial records place him to the right of many moderates. In the 1990s, Larry Sabato described him as a Gingrich-style conservative. His former colleague Curt Steiner referred to him as a "solid Republican" who maintains an independent approach.

During his tenure as governor, Kasich expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, tackled the opioid epidemic, sought to restrict collective bargaining rights for public employees (a move later overturned by voters), reduced funding for local governments, enacted anti-abortion legislation, vetoed a six-week abortion ban, implemented tax reductions, and modified his policies on gun control.

Abortion

Kasich holds an anti-abortion position except in instances involving rape, incest, or when the mother's life is endangered. As governor, he signed into law 18 measures restricting abortion access. In 2013, he approved budget bill HB 59 which redirected $1.4 million in federal funds away from Planned Parenthood by reallocating family-planning resources elsewhere; it also provided funding for crisis pregnancy centers, mandated ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, prohibited abortion providers from participating in emergency transfer agreements with public hospitals, and limited funding for rape crisis centers that offered abortion counseling.

By 2015, Kasich supported efforts to defund Planned Parenthood but opposed shutting down the government over this issue.

In December 2016, he enacted a ban on abortions after 20 weeks but vetoed legislation imposing a six-week abortion ban due to concerns about legal challenges and fiscal implications. He vetoed another six-week ban in December 2018 for comparable reasons but approved legislation banning dilation and evacuation abortion procedures.

Climate Change, Energy, and Environment

In April 2012, Kasich acknowledged that climate change is a genuine phenomenon but opposed federal EPA regulations targeting carbon emissions, preferring that control over emissions from coal-fired power plants remain with state authorities and private entities. By 2015, he expressed uncertainty regarding both the causes of climate change and humanity's role in it.

In 2014, Kasich signed a bill that paused Ohio's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for two years. Established in 2008, this standard required Ohio to generate 12.5% of its energy from renewable sources and reduce overall energy consumption by 22% by 2025. The freeze had support from Republican leaders and utility companies but faced opposition from environmental advocates and some sectors of manufacturing. When legislators attempted in 2016 to extend this freeze, Kasich vetoed their effort, restoring the clean energy mandate; this decision earned praise from environmental groups while drawing criticism from GOP lawmakers.

Kasich's budget proposal in 2015 included increased taxation on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), featuring a 6.5% severance tax on oil and natural gas extracted via horizontal drilling methods and an additional 4.5% tax on natural gas volumes—excluding conventional drilling operations.

Initially endorsing fracking activities within Ohio’s state parks and forests, Kasich authorized plans in 2011 to lease mineral rights on state lands but later reversed course following objections from environmental advocates and legislators. The proposed commission intended to oversee these leases was never established, and promotional efforts were discontinued.

In April 2015, Kasich signed legislation aimed at protecting Lake Erie’s water quality by limiting manure and fertilizer runoff responsible for harmful algal blooms and mandating phosphorus monitoring at large water treatment facilities. The bill passed unanimously through Ohio’s legislature.

Kasich supported the Keystone XL pipeline project and co-signed a letter in 2015 urging federal approval. In response to South Dakota’s request under an interstate compact in 2016, he deployed 37 Ohio state troopers to assist with security during protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Despite facing public and political resistance over this deployment, it remained in place until the troopers returned later that year.

Prison privatization

In an effort to mitigate a state budget shortfall, Kasich put forward a plan to transfer ownership of five state correctional facilities to private prison operators. The Lake Erie Correctional Institution was sold to Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) for $72.7 million, resulting in $3 million in cost savings. Gary Mohr, Kasich's Director of Corrections and a former CCA employee, recused himself from involvement in the transaction process. Nonetheless, audits conducted in 2012 identified 47 contractual breaches by CCA, and a subsequent audit also yielded unsatisfactory results. By July 2015, the administration revealed intentions to sell the North Central Correctional Institution to recoup the state's initial investment and support community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Policing standards

After grand juries declined to indict officers involved in the fatal shootings of John Crawford III and 12-year-old Tamir Rice, Kasich responded by establishing the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board in January 2015. This board aimed to rebuild public trust in law enforcement, particularly within African American communities. Comprising 23 members, the task force produced a comprehensive 629-page report that recommended improvements in accountability, oversight mechanisms, community engagement, as well as updates to use-of-force policies and recruitment practices.

In April 2015, Kasich formed a twelve-member Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board charged with creating statewide standards for police recruitment, hiring procedures, screening protocols, and use-of-force regulations. This pioneering board also developed model policies designed to enhance relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. By August 2015, the board underscored the importance of protecting human life and limiting deadly force strictly to instances of self-defense or defense of others.

Demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability in policing, Kasich expressed willingness in August 2015 to mandate police officers wear body cameras.

Capital punishment

During his tenure as governor, Kasich authorized the executions of fifteen inmates while commuting seven death sentences. The most recent execution in Ohio took place in July 2018. In January 2015, he postponed all seven executions scheduled through January 2016 due to ongoing legal challenges and difficulties arising primarily from European pharmaceutical companies’ refusal to provide necessary drugs. In February 2017, Kasich again delayed executions for three months following a federal court ruling that declared Ohio’s three-drug lethal injection protocol unconstitutional.

Executive clemency

Kasich exercised his clemency powers sparingly, maintaining the lowest clemency approval rate among Ohio governors since record-keeping began in the 1980s. Over six years, he approved only 86 out of 2,291 clemency petitions. In 2016 alone, he granted clemency to 13 individuals—all of whom had received recommendations from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

Criminal justice reform issues

Kasich advocates for criminal justice reform that includes reducing mandatory minimum sentences and implementing programs that prepare offenders for successful reintegration into society. In 2011, he signed legislation reforming sentencing laws that permitted judges to assign non-violent fourth- and fifth-degree felons to community-based halfway houses instead of incarceration. The law also expanded earned credit systems for sentence reductions and allowed early release for offenders who completed at least 80% of their sentences.

In 2012, Kasich approved bipartisan legislation aimed at mitigating the collateral consequences faced by individuals with criminal convictions. By 2014, Ohio's correctional system had achieved one of the nation’s lowest recidivism rates—a success attributed to bipartisan legislative collaboration, Kasich’s leadership, and programs supported through the federal Second Chance Act, sponsored by U.S. Senator Rob Portman.

In his 2015 state budget proposal, Kasich allocated $61.7 million toward addiction treatment services for incarcerated individuals, emphasizing rehabilitation as a key component within the criminal justice framework.

Drug policy

Initially, Kasich opposed medical marijuana in 2012, arguing that alternative methods were more effective for alleviating pain. Nevertheless, by late 2015 and early 2016, he showed a willingness to consider legalizing medical marijuana.

In March 2014, Kasich enacted bipartisan legislation that broadened access to naloxone, a critical opioid overdose reversal drug, permitting friends, family members, and first responders to acquire and carry it. This effort was furthered in July 2015 when he authorized naloxone distribution without the need for a prescription.

During a 2015 interview, Kasich expressed opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana, comparing it to heroin and endorsing grassroots opposition campaigns against such substances. On the subject of federal enforcement in states where marijuana was legalized, he framed the matter as one of states' rights and showed reluctance to interfere with state-level decisions.

Kasich opposed Ohio’s 2015 Issue 3 ballot initiative that sought to legalize recreational marijuana, describing it as a "terrible idea" and casting a vote against it.

State budgets and taxation

Throughout Kasich’s administration, Ohio addressed a budget deficit estimated by his office at $8 billion, although some estimates ranged between $6 billion and $7.7 billion. Additionally, the state’s "rainy day fund" grew substantially from nearly zero to in excess of $2 billion.

The reduction of the budget gap involved cuts to local government funding, which led some municipalities to raise taxes or cut services. Sales tax increases helped finance reductions in income tax rates. By 2016, more than 70 cities and villages experienced annual revenue losses exceeding $1 million due to these fiscal measures.

Kasich advocated for gradually eliminating Ohio’s state income tax as early as 2008. During his governorship, Ohio ranked 22nd nationally in private-sector job growth with an increase of 9.3%. In 2011, he enacted a budget that phased out the state estate tax starting January 1, 2013.

In 2013, Kasich approved a $62 billion biennial budget that included a phased 10% reduction in state income tax rates, an increase of the sales tax from 5.5% to 5.75%, and a 50% tax cut for small businesses on their first $250,000 of net income. He employed line-item vetoes to endorse Medicaid expansion that extended coverage to nearly 275,000 low-income working Ohioans.

Kasich signed a $71 billion two-year budget in 2015 after vetoing 44 provisions. This budget featured a 6.3% cut in income taxes as part of an overall $1.9 billion net tax reduction and lowered the highest income tax bracket below 5%. It increased funding for K-12 education by $955 million, raised higher education support to compensate for tuition freezes, expanded Medicaid coverage, increased cigarette taxes by 35 cents per pack, and barred unionization for certain state-contracted health and child care employees.

Senate Bill 5 and labor issues

On March 31, 2011, Governor Kasich signed Senate Bill 5, a contentious law restricting collective bargaining rights for public sector workers including police officers, firefighters, and teachers. Designed to control labor expenses and reduce tax burdens with the goal of enhancing Ohio’s economic competitiveness, the bill banned public employee strikes and limited negotiations over healthcare and pension benefits. It passed narrowly in both the state Senate (17–16) and House (53–44).

Democrats and labor unions strongly opposed SB 5, sparking widespread protests and leading to a referendum aimed at overturning the law. Critics condemned it as an assault on unions and the middle class. Ohio voters decisively rejected SB 5 with 61% voting against it, marking a significant political defeat for Kasich. Subsequently, he abandoned efforts for broad collective bargaining restrictions but supported a more limited 2012 measure targeting the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

In May 2015, Kasich revoked executive orders from his predecessor that had extended collective bargaining rights to contractors providing home health care and in-home child care services.

Balanced budget amendment

Kasich has actively promoted a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and established a 501(c)(4) organization named Balanced Budget Forever to advance this cause.

Free trade

Although Kasich indicated in 2016 that he was not a staunch ideological advocate of free trade, he has historically endorsed free trade agreements, including vocal support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He participated alongside President Obama in discussions championing the agreement.

Civil liberties and electronic surveillance

In the 2016 election cycle, Kasich adopted a measured position on domestic surveillance, endorsing the requirement of warrants as suggested by Rand Paul while also highlighting the government's need for intelligence gathering. He emphasized the importance of balancing robust intelligence capabilities with safeguarding citizens from excessive government intrusion.

Kasich opposed requiring technology firms to create government "backdoors" to encrypted devices, cautioning that such measures could be exploited by hackers. Nonetheless, he later expressed concerns that strong encryption might impede counterterrorism efforts. He has publicly denounced whistleblower Edward Snowden as a traitor.

Education

Kasich introduced legislation aimed at boosting funding for charter schools and financially struggling school districts, overriding the school-funding formula set by his Democratic predecessor, Governor Ted Strickland. Throughout his administration, he expanded charter school options, increased school voucher programs that allocate public funds for private education, implemented a "merit pay" system for educators, and evaluated teachers based on student performance in standardized math and reading assessments. Kasich supported the Common Core State Standards and criticized Republicans who opposed them.

During his tenure, funding for traditional public schools decreased by approximately $500 million, while charter school financing grew by at least 27 percent. Data from the Howard Fleeter/Education Tax Policy Institute indicates total education funding rose from $7.1 billion in fiscal year 2013 to $7.8 billion in fiscal year 2015—surpassing levels reached under Strickland. Kasich proposed an $8.0 billion budget for education in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The Ohio Department of Education projects funding to near $10.5 billion by the close of fiscal year 2017.

There is debate among analysts regarding whether Kasich’s education budgets outpaced inflation. In the 2015 state budget, he exercised line-item vetoes that cut over $84 million from public school appropriations.

Kasich supported allowing local public school districts to teach alternatives to evolution—such as intelligent design—under a principle of "local control."

In 2011, Kasich initiated the creation of a $2 million Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial at the Ohio Statehouse, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. Approved by the Capital Square Review and Advisory Board, the memorial was unveiled in 2014 opposite the Ohio Theatre.

Foreign and defense policy

In November 2002, Kasich endorsed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, stating at Ohio State University that military action was necessary because Saddam Hussein would not surrender his weapons without losing face in the Arab world. However, by August 2015, Kasich had reversed this position, calling the Iraq War a mistake based on current understanding. In 2011, he supported maintaining a U.S. military presence in Iraq rather than full troop withdrawal.

Kasich criticized the limited scope of American-led airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and advocated deploying U.S. ground forces to combat ISIL. He opposed the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and joined fellow Republican governors in pledging to uphold state-level sanctions despite federal agreements.

He backs the U.S. drone program but insists that its operation should fall under the Department of Defense rather than the CIA. Kasich calls for lifting sequestration limits on military budgets and supports defense spending increases when necessary.

In 2015, Kasich committed to sending a carrier battle group through the South China Sea as a demonstration against China’s territorial claims. While endorsing strong U.S.-Saudi Arabia relations, he criticized Saudi Arabia’s support for radical clerics linked to terrorism.

Kasich advocates maintaining robust ties with NATO allies and supported Senator John McCain’s call to sustain sanctions on Russia, opposing Trump administration efforts to remove them. He favors imposing stricter sanctions on Russian leadership and supports a bipartisan inquiry into Russian interference during the 2016 U.S. elections.

LGBT rights

By the mid-2010s, Kasich demonstrated greater advocacy for LGBT rights compared to many within his Republican cohort. Nonetheless, during his tenure in Congress, he supported the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevented federal acknowledgment of same-sex marriages, and backed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in Ohio, expressing disapproval of the "gay lifestyle." While serving as Ohio's governor, he issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination against state employees based on sexual orientation, though this directive did not extend protections to gender identity.

Throughout the 2016 presidential race, Kasich adopted a more centrist approach. Following the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, he voiced regret but accepted it as "the law of the land," urging a shift in focus toward other priorities. He opposed efforts to pass a constitutional amendment reversing this ruling. In debates, Kasich emphasized embracing and loving individuals regardless of sexual orientation, referencing his personal connections with members of the LGBT community.

Kasich also commented on the Kim Davis controversy, acknowledging respect for her beliefs but emphasizing that as a government official she was obligated to adhere to legal requirements. In 2018, he openly supported same-sex marriage while expressing a desire to steer clear of social issues in political discourse. Later that year, Kasich signed an executive order broadening non-discrimination protections for Ohio state employees to include gender identity, thereby covering transgender and non-binary persons.

Gun policy

Kasich’s record on gun legislation during his time in the U.S. House of Representatives was varied. He voted in favor of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban but opposed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which established current background check protocols.

As governor, Kasich took positions more favorable to gun rights. In 2011, he approved laws allowing concealed carry in bars and eased firearm purchase restrictions for individuals with misdemeanor drug offenses. The following year, he expanded reciprocity for concealed carry permits and permitted transporting firearms with loaded magazines inside vehicles. In 2014, Kasich reduced training requirements for obtaining concealed carry permits and removed mandatory training for permit renewals.

After the 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, Kasich advocated for limits on sales of AR-15 style rifles.

Health care

Kasich chose to accept Medicaid expansion funds under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Ohio, a move that drew criticism from many Republicans in the Statehouse. His administration reported Medicaid expenditures nearly $2 billion below projections for fiscal year 2015, attributing these savings to managed care growth, shorter nursing home stays, increased home-based senior care services, capitated payment models, automation of eligibility and payment processes, along with economic improvements.

In 2014, Kasich recognized that repealing the ACA entirely was improbable and acknowledged its advancements but clarified that his support primarily concerned Medicaid expansion while advocating repeal and replacement of other ACA components. By 2015, he endorsed key ACA provisions such as protections for preexisting conditions and insurance marketplaces but opposed individual mandates.

Following Republican efforts to repeal the ACA in 2017, Kasich criticized full repeal attempts as politically unrealistic and called for maintaining Medicaid expansion. He cautioned that removing coverage from millions would endanger the nation’s "soul." After House Republicans’ health-care bill failed, Kasich urged bipartisan efforts toward modest ACA reforms. He later described the House proposal as "inadequate" and reproached Republicans for valuing campaign promises over effective legislation.

In June 2017, Kasich indicated willingness to phase out Medicaid expansion gradually over seven years only if Congress increased funding beyond House proposals and granted states more authority over their programs. Together with governors from Arkansas, Nevada, and Michigan, he sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell outlining priorities including eliminating the requirement that state Medicaid programs cover nearly all FDA-approved prescription drugs. Their recommendations carried weight due to their states’ Republican senators and the Senate’s slim GOP majority.

Immigration and refugees

In 2010, during his gubernatorial campaign, Kasich advocated for a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Fourteenth Amendment provision granting birthright citizenship. He argued that this change was necessary to avoid encouraging illegal immigration.

By 2014, Kasich admitted his perspective had shifted, showing compassion toward undocumented immigrants concerned about deportation and expressing support for establishing a pathway to citizenship. At a Republican Governors Association gathering, he stood out as the sole governor openly endorsing such a route.

Throughout his 2015 presidential bid, Kasich promoted legal status—though not necessarily full citizenship—for undocumented individuals and proposed a guest worker initiative. He moderated his position on birthright citizenship, backed the completion of the U.S.-Mexico border barrier, and highlighted that undocumented young people in Ohio could obtain driver’s licenses.

Kasich criticized Donald Trump’s border wall proposal and deportation policies as "just crazy." Initially in September 2015, he favored accepting Syrian refugees on ethical grounds but later requested that President Obama suspend refugee resettlement in Ohio. Kasich opposed Trump’s 2017 travel ban executive order, labeling it "ham-handed" and confusing, contending that it unfairly targeted Muslim populations.

Lieutenant governor

Kasich maintained a long-term political alliance with his lieutenant governor, Mary Taylor. In 2014, after her chief of staff and an assistant resigned amid an investigation into timesheet irregularities, Kasich publicly supported Taylor by stating, "Mary did the right thing and I support her."

Their relationship became strained in 2017 when Taylor withdrew support from Kasich ally Matt Borges in the race for Ohio Republican Party chairmanship and instead backed Jane Timken, who was endorsed by Donald Trump—a figure Kasich had declined to endorse. Despite this tension, Kasich acknowledged Taylor had "been a good partner" throughout his administration and indicated he would back her if she ran for governor in 2018.

Racial diversity in Cabinet

When Kasich assumed office in 2011, he faced criticism for naming an initial cabinet of 22 members entirely composed of white individuals. He responded by emphasizing that his focus was on assembling the most qualified team without regard to race or age. Shortly thereafter, on February 2, 2011, Kasich appointed Michael Colbert, an African American, as head of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, marking his first minority cabinet appointment.

As of , four cabinet members under Kasich were racial minorities.

Transportation

During his initial campaign for governor, Kasich opposed the Ohio Hub project—a proposed higher-speed rail line spanning 258 miles between Cleveland and Cincinnati—citing its slow average speed of 36 mph and pledging to terminate it. Following his election, he declared the project defunct and sought to redirect $400 million in federal funds earmarked for high-speed rail toward freight rail initiatives instead. However, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and President Barack Obama refused these requests due to the funds’ specific designation under the 2009 economic stimulus legislation.

In December 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Ohio would forfeit $385 million in high-speed rail grants after Kasich signaled no plans to pursue such projects. These funds were reassigned to states including California, New York, and Florida that aligned with congressional objectives for high-speed rail development. Outgoing governor Ted Strickland denounced this loss as harmful to Ohio’s job creation prospects.

Kasich also voiced opposition to the Cincinnati Streetcar initiative.

In April 2015, he signed a two-year transportation budget providing $7.06 billion for highway construction and upkeep, allocating $600 million to local governments for roads and bridges, along with increased funding for public transit compared to the prior budget cycle.

Voting rights

In February 2014, Kasich enacted legislation that shortened Ohio's early voting timeframe by six days, effectively ending the "golden week" during which voters could simultaneously register and submit absentee ballots. The bill passed strictly along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed, prompting two federal legal challenges.

The initial lawsuit, initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio on behalf of the NAACP and League of Women Voters of Ohio, culminated in a 2015 agreement mandating evening and Sunday early voting hours through 2018. The second case, Ohio Democratic Party v. Husted, contested the removal of "golden week," arguing it was unconstitutional and discriminatory against minority and younger voters. Although a federal district court invalidated the law, the Sixth Circuit Court overturned that ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case.

Kasich dismissed Hillary Clinton’s 2015 accusations of Republican voter suppression as "pure demagoguery."

In April 2015, Kasich vetoed a GOP-inserted clause in a highway-budget bill that would have required college students registering to vote in Ohio to possess state driver's licenses and vehicle registrations—imposing roughly $75 in expenses on out-of-state students. This veto received acclaim from voting rights groups, Ohio Democrats, and media outlets for preventing what was viewed as a de facto "poll tax" intended to suppress votes in college communities.

Judicial appointments

Justices on the Ohio Supreme Court are elected; however, the governor has authority to appoint replacements for unexpired terms. In May 2012, Associate Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton announced her retirement effective at year-end. Subsequently, in December 2012, Kasich appointed Judge Judith L. French to serve Stratton’s remaining term from January 1, 2013, through January 1, 2015.

Impeachment of Donald Trump

On October 18, 2019, Kasich publicly reversed his earlier stance and declared that Donald Trump should face impeachment proceedings.

2016 presidential campaign

In April 2015, Kasich established the "New Day For America" organization, which evolved from a 527 group into a super PAC by July of that year. From April through June 2015, the super PAC amassed over $11.1 million via 165 donations, including significant contributions from Floyd Kvamme ($100,000) and Jim Dicke ($250,000). At the start of 2016, Kasich’s campaign reported having $2.5 million available.

By May 2015, insiders indicated Kasich was "virtually certain" to pursue the Republican presidential nomination. He officially launched his campaign on July 21, 2015, at the Ohio Union on his alma mater's campus, Ohio State University.

On January 30, 2016, the New York Times endorsed Kasich as a viable Republican nominee alternative amid concerns surrounding frontrunners Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

Kasich ran on a platform of optimism, adopting the slogan "the prince of light and hope," marking a departure from his previously tougher gubernatorial image. He maintained a calm demeanor above partisan conflicts while emphasizing his experience compared to outsider candidates.

In the New Hampshire primary on February 9, 2016, Kasich finished second behind Trump—a result regarded as a substantial boost positioning him as an alternative to Trump and Cruz. Nonetheless, his message struggled to resonate amid widespread voter dissatisfaction. He remained fourth in delegate count behind Rubio (who later withdrew).

Kasich’s sole primary victory came in Ohio’s March winner-take-all contest, securing 66 delegates but still trailing significantly in overall delegate totals. His campaign strategy hinged on the possibility of a brokered Republican National Convention, an event not witnessed since 1952.

Following Trump's decisive Indiana primary victory on May 4, 2016—and Cruz’s prior exit—Kasich ended his presidential bid, leaving Trump as the presumptive Republican nominee.

A study conducted in 2018 observed that despite limited public enthusiasm, Kasich's campaign endurance was largely sustained by media exposure rather than broad voter backing.

Aftermath

Following his exit from the presidential contest, Kasich chose not to endorse Trump. By mid-2016, he characterized Trump as a polarizing figure, refrained from offering support, and dismissed the idea of becoming his vice president. Kasich's hesitation to back Trump stemmed from concerns about divisiveness and a perceived lack of adherence to conservative values, although he also ruled out casting a ballot for Clinton.

In August 2016, Kasich alleged that the Trump campaign proposed a significant vice presidential role granting oversight of both domestic and international policy—a claim the campaign denied. He expressed skepticism about Trump's prospects in Ohio, a critical swing state. Rumors circulated that Kasich was preparing for a 2020 presidential bid, further fueled by his decision to cancel a post-election address at the American Enterprise Institute.

During the 2016 Electoral College vote, Kasich secured one electoral vote from a faithless elector in Texas; meanwhile, an attempt to allocate him an electoral vote in Colorado was invalidated and replaced with a pledged vote for Clinton.

Opposition to Trump

In February 2017, Kasich held a private meeting with Trump at the White House following a period of intense disagreement. While Kasich conveyed hopes for Trump's success, he did not shy away from delivering criticism when warranted. That same month, his senior political advisors launched Two Paths America to advocate his perspectives and provide contrast to Trump's approach. In April 2017, Kasich co-authored and published Two Paths: America Divided or United alongside Daniel Paisner. The establishment of this group led to speculation about a presidential campaign, though Kasich denied any such intentions.

At an April 2017 CNN town hall, Kasich described himself as "very unlikely" to pursue the presidency in 2020 but left open the possibility should he feel compelled by national needs. By August, he reaffirmed no plans to run and expressed that he was "rooting for [Trump] to get it together." In October 2017, Kasich stated he had not "given up" on the Republican Party but warned he would withdraw support if reform proved impossible. In March 2018, he indicated growing openness toward a 2020 candidacy; however, by May 2019, he once again dismissed running.

Kasich voiced support for the impeachment inquiry against Trump in October 2019, citing as the decisive factor a remark by acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney regarding withholding aid from Ukraine to influence investigations into Trump's political opponents.

In August 2020, Kasich confirmed his participation as a speaker at the Democratic National Convention endorsing Joe Biden. He explained that his conscience required him to oppose Trump despite potential criticism. He emphasized his identity as a reform-minded and independent Republican committed to acting on principle.

In September 2024, Kasich joined several former governors in signing an open letter urging incumbent governors to certify their states’ election results following the November vote, even if facing pressure from Trump or others.

Personal life

Kasich has been married twice. His first marriage to Mary Lee Griffith lasted from 1975 until their divorce in 1980 and did not produce children; Griffith has continued supporting Kasich’s political endeavors since their separation. In March 1997, he wed Karen Waldbillig, formerly employed in public relations; together they have twin daughters named Emma and Reese.

Raised in the Catholic faith, Kasich places less importance on denominational distinctions while maintaining ties to his Catholic heritage. After losing his parents in a drunk-driving accident in 1987, he embraced Anglicanism and joined the Episcopal Church during adulthood. Currently, Kasich attends St. Augustine’s in Westerville, Ohio—a congregation affiliated with the conservative Anglican Church in North America that separated from the Episcopal Church. He has remarked that although he "doesn’t find God in church," he continues this religious affiliation.

Legacy

In 2019, Cardinal Hall located at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio, was officially renamed Kasich Hall as a tribute to John Kasich.

Electoral history

Election outcomes
Year Position Type of election Candidate Party Votes % Challenger Party Votes % Challenger Party Votes %
1982 U.S. House General Template:Party shading/Republican |John Kasich Template:Party shading/Republican |Republican 88,335 50% Bob Shamansky Democratic 82,753 47% Russell A. Lewis Libertarian 3,939 2%
1984 U.S. House General John Kasich Republican 148,899 70% Richard S. Sloan Democratic 65,215 30%
1986 U.S. House General John Kasich Republican 117,905 73% Timothy C. Jochim Democratic 42,727 27%
1988 U.S. House General John Kasich Republican 204,892 80% Mark P. Brown Democratic 50,782 20%
1990 U.S. House General John Kasich Republican 130,495 72% Mike Gelpi Democratic 50,784 28%
1992 U.S. House General John Kasich Republican 170,297 71% Bob Fitrakis Democratic 68,761 29%
1994 "U.S. House" "General" "John Kasich" "Republican" "114,608" "67%" "Cynthia L. Ruccia" "Democratic" "57,294" "33%" "Write-in" "Independent" "443" "0%"
1996 "U.S. House" "General" "John Kasich" "Republican" "151,667" "64%" "Cynthia L. Ruccia" "Democratic" "78,762" "33%" "Barbara Ann Edelman" "Natural Law" "7,005" "3%"
1998 "U.S. House" "General" "John Kasich" "Republican" "124,197" "67%" "Edward S. Brown" "Democratic" "60,694" "33%"
2010 "Governor of Ohio" "General" "John Kasich" "Republican" "1,889,186" "49%" "Ted Strickland" "Democratic" "1,812,059" "47%" "Ken Matesz" "Libertarian" "92,116" "2%"
2014 "Governor of Ohio" "General" "John Kasich" "Republican" "1,944,848" "64%" "Ed FitzGerald" "Democratic" "1,009,359" "33%" "Anita Rios" "Green Party of the United States" "101,706" "3%"

Published works

Kasich has written five books:

See also

References

Citations
Bibliography

External links

U.S. Representative (1983–2001)
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