Now Kasich's out, too: Ohio governor suspended his presidential campaign

John Kasich was the only one to beat Hillary Clinton in one-on-one polling

Published May 4, 2016 5:02PM (EDT)

Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks during a town hall at Savage Mill in Savage, Md., Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (AP)
Republican presidential candidate, Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks during a town hall at Savage Mill in Savage, Md., Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (AP)

Republican presidential candidate John Kasich officially suspended his campaign late on Wednesday, after coming in third place in Indiana and following Ted Cruz's dropout last night, sources told NBC News.

Kasich had only one primary victory in his home state of Ohio, but remained in the race even though it was mathematically impossible for him to win the GOP nomination. The governor had formed a brief alliance with Cruz last week in an attempt to stop Trump from clinching the nomination, and argued that no candidate would be able to earn the 1,237 delegates ahead of the convention, according to NBC.

With the two remaining GOP candidates dropping out in the last 24 hours, and Trump winning Indiana, it is now almost entirely certain the real-estate mogul will be the Republican party's nominee.

Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus tweeted that GOP voters should unite behind Trump, calling him the "presumptive nominee."

Kasich campaigned on a message of positivity, staying away from personal insults that have shadowed most of the Republican primary race. The governor justified his stay in the race as he was the best Republican to win in a general election. Kasich was the only one who consistently beat Hillary Clinton in one-on-one polling, reported NBC news.

"You win a primary, you lose the general, what's the point?" Kasich said last month at an MSNBC town hall. "What do you hang a certificate on your wall? ...I'm the only one who consistently beats Hillary."

Kasich, during his press conference announcing his campaign's suspension, thanked his family and supporters. He also seemed to insult himself several times, saying he was "surprised" that people he knew came out to see him and that his campaign staffers did a lot from very little (AKA Kasich himself).

With Kasich's forfeit, Trump is now the presumptive GOP nominee. November should be interesting.


By Antoaneta Roussi

MORE FROM Antoaneta Roussi


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Donald Trump Gop Convention John Kasich Presidential Race Republican Nominee Ted Cruz