Former Rep. Kasich Thinking Of Run For Ohio Governor

John Kasich (R), who served in the House from 1983 to 2001, is considering a bid for governor in Ohio in 2010, reports The Athens Messenger.

Kasich, former chairman of the House Budget Committee and now a host on Fox News, would be able to draw on his economic expertise in a state whose economy has slumped.

“I walked away from politics with no intentions of going back,” Kasich said at a gathering of Republicans in Athens. “But I feel a sense of responsibility. I’m worried about Ohio because Ohio is dying.”

Gov. Ted Strickland (D), who holds a 54 percent approval rating, would be up for re-election in 2010.

Another former GOP House member and economic expert, Rob Portman, has also said he would consider running for governor in two years. But both Strickland and Portman have been mentioned as possible vice presidential candidates this year.