Ohio Gov. John Kasich rushed to the defense of his counterpart in New Mexico on Wednesday after likely GOP nominee Donald Trump flung harsh criticism at Gov. Susana Martinez during a rally on her home turf.
Speaking to a crowd in Albuquerque on Tuesday, Trump zeroed in on Martinez for “not doing the job” in lowering unemployment. He also criticized her handling of illegal immigration. The criticism was notable because the Hispanic governor’s name had been floated around as a potential running mate for the billionaire businessman.
Kasich, who ended his own campaign for the GOP nomination earlier in the month, praised Martinez on Wednesday as “an outstanding governor who has brought conservative reform to a blue state.”
.@Gov_Martinez is an outstanding governor who has brought conservative reform to a blue state. (1/2)
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) May 25, 2016
While he didn’t mention Trump’s name, Kasich said the Republican nominee should be “lifting up” Martinez, not “tearing” her down.
She’s exactly who our party & nominee should be lifting up and supporting, not tearing down. (2/2)
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) May 25, 2016
Kasich has also been mentioned as a possible VP pick for Trump, but the governor says he “is not inclined” to run on the bottom of Trump’s ticket.
