COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) has declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, saying he believes that God “put us on this Earth to make things a little bit better.”
The 63-year-old Kasich launched his campaign Tuesday at Ohio State University, asking a crowd of 2,000 for their prayers and support in a nomination race now packed with 16 notable Republicans.
Kasich cites his Christian faith in public policy decisions such as championing Medicaid expansion under the federal health care law and increasing spending on government anti-poverty efforts. He told the crowd that “the Lord wants our hearts to reach out to those that don’t have what we have.”
Kasich cited his extensive experience as a congressman as well as governor, but added, “I’m just a flawed man, a flawed man trying to honor God’s blessings in my life.”
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