Former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman endorsed John Kasich for president Friday.
Whitman’s endorsement comes the same day that the current Garden State governor, Chris Christie, endorsed billionaire candidate Donald Trump for president.
“Governor Kasich is the lone voice of reason and optimism in a very loud room,” Whitman said in a statement. “His winning combination of tax cuts, balanced budgets and job creation will revive the American economy.”
“I’m proud to offer my unqualified support,” Whitman said.
In her political career as 1990’s New Jersey governor and then George W. Bush’s EPA chief, Whitman blazed a path of supporting moderate Republican policies. After leaving the Bush cabinet in 2003, Whitman published a book, It’s My Party Too.
Whitman, a pro-choice advocate, argued the party should broaden its appeal. Her endorsement of Kasich then is not a surprise, as Kasich has made same similar arguments during his campaign, albeit on different issues.
Kasich is pro-life, but has made an issue of supporting Medicaid expansion part of the Affordable Care Act, an unpopular position with many fellow members of the Republican party.
