Ohio Gov. John Kasich has made New Hampshire central to his 2016 presidential ambitions. This appears to be paying dividends.
Kasich moved into fourth place in the Granite State since launching his presidential campaign, after ranking behind ten other Republican candidates in New Hampshire in a June poll.
A NBC/Marist poll conducted last week found the “Live Free or Die” crowd supported Donald Trump most, followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and then Kasich.
The governor has focused much of his early efforts on New Hampshire and began running ads in the state before his formal campaign had gotten off the ground. New Day for America, the super PAC to which he was formerly affiliated, has touted its $1.5 million ad buy within the state, and Kasich’s first ad has aired on broadcast and cable networks in New Hampshire and in Boston, Mass.
After announcing his presidential campaign, he headed directly to New Hampshire and attracted the support from members of several influential political families such as the Sununus and Thomsons.
Simon Thomson, a grandson of former Gov. Meldrim Thomson, has just joined Kasich’s presidential campaign as its New Hampshire campaign manager.
“As Governor Kasich continues to grow support in New Hampshire, Simon will help build our state-based grassroots team,” said John Weaver, a Kasich strategist, in a statement. “The strong movement we’ve seen in public polls has been matched by increased interest in the campaign and conversions at our town halls. … Simon will harness the enthusiasm for Governor Kasich and continue to build on our momentum.”
Weaver helped guide John McCain to two New Hampshire primary victories. While he had less luck with Jon Huntsman in 2012, New Hampshire was one of Huntsman’s better states.
Another Thomson family member, Peter Thomson, recently took to the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper to explain his decision to support the governor was based partly upon his belief that Kasich gave the GOP its best chance of winning Ohio, a determinative swing state in presidential elections.
“I find Gov. Kasich’s decision to run for President similar to my Dad’s decision: not something to do to cap off an impressive career, but instead answering the call from above,” Peter Thomson wrote.
Kasich is looking to keep it in the family in New Hampshire to get momentum going for a campaign that can compete nationally in the long-term. The governor’s poll numbers place him on the edge of qualifying for the first televised presidential debate on Fox News, but even if he misses it he is scheduled to appear at a candidate forum in New Hampshire three days prior that will reach a national audience via C-SPAN.
