Ohio Gov. John Kasich is projectedj to win the Republican primary in Ohio according to CNN and Fox News.
The state had been a must-win for Kasich, who had built his campaign on a victory at home. In countless interviews, Kasich had predicted he could win in Ohio and surrogates including home state Sen. Rob Portman (R) and former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney backed him there as they campaigned with him in recent days. Romney told voters at a rally at an air museum Monday that Kasich had “the kind of record that you want in Washington, and that’s why I’m convinced that you’re going to do the right thing tomorrow.”
Kasich’s favorability was high in Ohio where he was the most popular Republican presidential candidate by a long shot there. More than 70 percent of voters in Ohio approved of him, according to a Public Policy Polling survey.
Trump and Kasich’s styles could not be more different in the race for the nomination. While Trump has been blunt, quick-tempered, pessimistic about the state of the country and a decisive frontrunner, Kasich has tried to resist an all-out war of words with Trump, but also struggled to gain traction. In debates, Kasich has sought to stay away from name calling and instead point out that he is staying above the fray.
But Trump also made a strong play for Ohio in the final hours of the campaign there. Trump skipped an event in Florida where he was already leading by double digits to rally supporters in Youngstown, Ohio, Monday.
