COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 5, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — Clearly holding back tears, Ohio governor and presidential hopeful John Kasich ended his campaign for president Wednesday.
“I have always said that the Lord has a purpose for me, as He has for everyone,” Kasich said. “And as I suspend my campaign today, I have renewed faith, deeper faith, that the Lord will show me the way forward, and fulfill the purpose of my life.”
During his tenure as governor of Ohio, Kasich signed seventeen pro-life laws for the state.
Admitting his campaign message “wasn't sexy; it wasn't a great sound bite,” the pro-life governor conceded that not only could he not win, but he can no longer even create a contested Republican convention to stop billionaire Donald Trump.
Having won reelection as Ohio governor by a landslide, Kasich had hoped to translate that into momentum for his presidential run. Instead, the only state he won was his home state of Ohio.
After losing the New Hampshire primary with a second place finish, Kasich admitted that in today's politics, money buys votes. “They spent tens of millions against us,” he said.
In his exit speech, Kasich said his campaign was probably outspent 50-1.
CNN reported that Kasich was in a plane on the runway to fundraisers in Washington when he decided to drop out of the race. He had the plane taxi back from the runway, and called four of his closest friends, telling them, “My heart is not in this.” He then scheduled a press conference for 5 p.m.
Speaking from the Franklin Park Conservatory, where he had held a rally in March with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kasich was reflective. “The people of Ohio have given me the greatest professional experience of my lifetime. I've tried to pay them back.”
Acknowledging his loyal wife, Kasich repeated a comment made on the campaign trail, “If we’d only run Karen, we’d have been a whole lot more successful.”
The governor also expressed gratitude for his two daughters going with him often on campaign trips, and said their school principal told him to “never let education get in the way of learning.” He said he thinks his girls learned a lot while traveling with him.
Thanking his staff, including campaign manager Beth Hansen and top aide Doug Preisse, the governor said, “Nobody has ever done more with less in the history of politics.”
Kasich added sincere thanks to all the workers who helped him get this far. “My mother used to say, never forget the volunteers, Johnny,” he said.
On the campaign trail, Kasich shared how he found faith in God after his parents were both killed in a car accident.
Ohio Right to Life issued a statement, entitled, “Thank you, Governor Kasich,” saying, “Ohio Right to Life thanks Governor John Kasich for his bid to serve the American people with compassion and proven pro-life leadership. Ohio Right to Life has been honored to work with Governor Kasich and his team over the last five years.”
“Undoubtedly, America would prove itself a stronger, more compassionate and more protective country for the right to life under Governor Kasich's leadership,” the prolife organization added. “But we in Ohio rest assured knowing that as our Governor, he will continue to strengthen Ohio's pro-life laws, standing with us to protect the dignity of human life.”
Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump commented that he would consider Kasich for his Vice Presidential pick. “I think John would be very helpful in Ohio,” Trump said.
Kasich did not comment on whether he would now endorse Trump, or, whether he would accept a possible Vice Presidential pick.