Today, Ohio’s Governor John Kasich announced his candidacy for President of the United States on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus. Before a capacity crowd at Ohio State’s Student Union, Kasich becomes the 16th candidate in a crowded field for the nation’s highest office. The announcement was strategically delayed in order to gain some momentum in the polls that would put him on the podium at the first GOP Presidential Debate in Cleveland next month.

On hand for Kasich’s announcement were former New Hampshire Senator John Sununu, two-time Heisman Trophy Winner Archie Griffin, talk show host Montel Williams, and countless Ohio elected officials and dignitaries.

Kasich talked college affordability, medical coverage, substance abuse prevention, and taking care of impoverished in the context of making the American dream possible. Kasich stated, “today the sun is coming up….the sun is going to rise to its zenith in America again”. Governor Kasich also stressed the need to govern and restoring common sense to Washington,  “Policy is far more important than politics, ideology or any of the other nonsense we see today”. Kasich hopes that his middle of the road approach will help distinguish his campaign from many of the other candidates in the GOP field.

Following his announcement, Governor Kasich returns to the campaign trail in important swing-states New Hampshire and South Carolina.