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New Hampshire Result Pumps Energy Into Kasich Campaign

CNN

While Donald Trump claimed the top spot in the New Hampshire primary, Gov. John Kasich generated a lot of buzz with his second place finish. 

With Kasich finishing in second, topping other big hitters such as Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, he seems to have new momentum going into the next round of primaries.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges, who was in New Hampshire with the Kasich campaign, says the apparent pause in the Chris Christie campaign helps as well.

“As we narrow the field down it helps consolidate some of the support behind the candidate who has the positive message and the vision and the record,” Borges said.

But Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper says Kasich will struggle in the next round. Pepper believes this means Kasich will continue to split votes with other establishment candidates.

“By blocking these other people who I think have more viable campaigns so if Donald Trump continues to win going forward I think he’ll have John Kasich for it based on today’s results,” Pepper said.

Kasich’s strategy to claim second place in New Hampshire was to win over voters one at a time, holding more than 100 town hall meetings.

Chrissie Thompson with the Cincinnati Enquirer has been covering Kasich’s tour of the state. She says, through this campaign, Kasich has solidified what he wants his legacy to be.

“And that’s as somebody who’s willing to kind of surprise people and grab some policy positions and do some accomplishments that maybe other Republicans wouldn’t be willing to do,” said Thompson.

Up next is South Carolina, up to this point Kasich has been polling behind those other establishment candidates in that state.

Contact Andy at achow@statehousenews.org.
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