Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Tuesday announced he will seek the Republican nomination for president, telling the crowd at Ohio State University that he has a unique set of skills and experience compared to other GOP candidates.
"I am here to ask you for your prayers, your support, your efforts because I have decided to run for president of the United States," Kasich said in his announcement speech at his alma mater. "I'm here to humbly tell you that I believe I do have the skills, and I have the experience."
"The American Dream is pivotal to the future of our country," he said. "But I have to tell you, a lot of people are not sure that dream is still possible, not sure that dream is still alive. ... I have the skills and experience" to restore it.
The 63-year-old two-term governor said he is the only GOP candidate with experience in three key areas of political leadership: the federal budget, state government and national security, according to The Associated Press.
"I have the experience and the testing," said Kasich, "the testing which shapes you and prepares you for the most important job in the world and I believe I know how to work and help restore this great United States."
Kasich served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 2001, where in 1995 he began a stint as budget chairman and in 1997 helped seal a deal that balanced the federal budget, reports Fox News.
During his time of governor in swing-state Ohio, he has helped erase an $8 billion budget deficit and boost the state's so-called "rainy day fund" to historic levels. Private-sector employment also rebounded to post-recession levels under his leadership.
Kasich achieved this through enacting budget cuts, privatizing parts of Ohio's government and other business-minded measures, according to AP.
The 63-year-old became the 16th Republican to enter the primary field and likely the last major candidate to do so.
He now faces a tough battle to boost his national poll numbers quickly enough to qualify for the first GOP debate on Aug. 6 in Cleveland. Only the top 10 best-polling candidates will be offered a podium.
According to RealClearPolitics' average of the four most recent polls, Kasich falls in 11th place with 1.5 percent support, behind former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has 2 percent, and in front of former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who has 0.8 percent.
