John Kasich, Republican Nominee for Ohio Governor visited Tipp City on Thursday, May 13, 2010 in a campaign swing through the Miami Valley. Fresh off a primary election earlier this month with little if any opposition, Kasich stopped in Tipp in the morning and finished up at a campaign rally in Xenia. Appearing with his running-mate for Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, Kasich toured Repacorp Inc. a label manufacturer with locations in Tipp City, Wisconsin and Arizona. Kasich conducted a round-table discussion with business leaders from the area and spoke of his plans to make Ohio friendlier to businesses. Workers’ compensation was a major topic as an issue for businesses in Ohio. Kasich also talked about other Ohio regulations that make business difficult, and promised to ease the burdens for businesses. State Representative Richard Adams, Republican from the 79th District which includes Tipp City, was present as well and pledged that the Ohio House of Representatives, if elected with a Republican Majority would work with a Governor-elect Kasich to make Ohio “open for business” again. Bill Beagle, candidate for the 5th District State Senate seat currently held by Democratic Senator Fred Strahorn also took the stage with Kasich. Kasich called on voters to get involved, call their legislators when they have concerns, and to elect people like Adams and Beagle to help turn Ohio around. Officials from Tipp City, Troy, Miami County, and elsewhere were on hand to welcome the Kasich campaign tour.
Kasich and Taylor participated in the panel discussion with businesses and took several questions from the audience before departing. Polls have been all over the place in the last few months with Kasich leading comfortably in some, and Strickland holding a very narrow edge in others.
Kasich was a member of Congress, representing the Columbus area in the 1990’s. Taylor is currently the State Auditor who did not seek re-election this year, opting instead to run with Kasich as Lieutenant Governor. They face sitting Governor Ted Strickland in the General election in November.
