Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who has flirted with challenging President Trump, appeared to rule out a run for the White House in 2020, then later walked back that statement.
“There’s no path right now for me,” Kasich told CNN on Friday. “I don’t see a way to get there. Ninety percent of the Republican Party supports [Trump]. It may be a shrinking Republican Party, but nevertheless, I’ve got friends all over the country. There is not a path. There’s not the support for that.”
However, later Friday, Kasich tweeted, “all of my options are on the table.”
Appreciate all the encouragement to challenge @realDonaldTrump in 2020. Know that while the path looks tough, all of my options are on the table. Like all of you, I want our country to be united, forward looking and problem solving. #2020
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) May 31, 2019
Kasich was one of the last Republican presidential candidates to drop out of the primary race before Trump became the nominee in 2016. He has since been a vocal critic of Trump.
“Maybe somebody wants to run and make a statement and that’s fine, but I’ve never gotten involved in a political race where I didn’t think I could win,” Kasich said.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld is the only Republican running against Trump in 2020. Weld admitted earlier this month that Republican voters have not yet warmed to a primary bid to block Trump from being the 2020 nominee, but predicted that could change in the months ahead.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, and Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, who became the first Republican in Congress to back impeaching the president, have also been considered possible challengers.
