Ohio Gov. John Kasich suspended his presidential campaign on May 4 — but his campaign piped up today to stress that the governor leads Hillary Clinton in swing states while Donald Trump lags behind.
The email from Kasich for America doesn’t mention the upcoming Republican National Convention — which Kasich doesn’t plan to speak at, despite the confab being held in his home state. Trump doesn’t want anybody who hasn’t endorsed him to speak at the party gathering.
It does, however, highlight a new Ballotpedia poll that surveys swing states including candidates not vying for the nomination: Kasich and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
Kasich only falls behind Clinton in Florida. Ryan lags in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan and Florida.
Trump is behind in all swing states, with 14-point gaps in Florida and Pennsylvania and 13 points in Michigan.
Kasich’s camp called his stronger performance against Clinton the “buried news lede.”
“They confirm what we said throughout the campaign: John Kasich was the very best candidate to defeat Hillary Clinton. On average Governor Kasich defeated Clinton by 4 points in the 7 key swing states, Speaker Ryan tied her,” noted the email.
“…This data is just further proof that Governor Kasich is the most popular Republican politician in the nation today and it underlines why his efforts to help our U.S. Senate and House candidates are so very important.”
Kasich’s name was on a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraising email sent out Monday.
“I’m reaching out to you today regarding a very serious issue. Nancy Pelosi has her sights set on becoming Speaker again,” that email stated, asking for donations before the end-of-month FEC deadline. “It seemed nearly impossible just a few months ago, but now our Republican majority in Congress is in danger… If you step up and join me in supporting Paul Ryan and House Republicans right now, together we’ll fight to make sure Pelosi will never be Speaker again.”
Last week, Kasich sent out a fundraising email on behalf of Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) re-election campaign.
“In this chaotic election year, there’s one constant that Arizona — and America — can depend on. That is the principled, commonsense conservative commitment to America of my friend, Senator John McCain — and that’s why I’m proud and pleased to ask you for your support on his behalf,” the email stated.
“John needs our immediate help. His campaign is in a dead heat in Arizona right now against Democrat Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, and we need to send a strong message to her and the Democrats that John McCain is going to win re-election… There is no one else in Washington with the same experience or dedication to the safety and security of this country as John McCain.”
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