Kasich allies raise more than $11.5 million

Kasich then speaks straight into the camera highlighting his blue-collar background and efforts to resuscitate Ohio’s economy. “That’s what they are seeing when they look at Governor Kasich and why we’ve already received millions in additional commitments already pledged”. That’s in line with several better-known Republican presidential contenders, though ex- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s team on Thursday announced a fundraising haul exceeding $114 million. A group of Ted Cruz affiliated super-PACs said they raised a combined $37 million since early April.

Kasich is expected to make his intentions public later this month in Columbus, Ohio, and may look to leverage the timing of his announcement to propel him into the first GOP presidential debate hosted by his ex- employer, Fox News, in August. “The response to Gov. Kasich’s message has been strong”.

Those close to the Republican have said quietly for weeks that New Day for America had a million goal for the first quarter, which ended last week.

Among those major contributors who have raised money for the committees as well as contributed were Phil Geier, ex- chairman and CEO of the Interpublic Group of Companies, and Gay and Stanley Gaines, longtime active Republican donors from Florida. Kasich’s soon-to-be-official campaign committee must limit primary contributions to $2,700 per person.

Kasich and his supporters are eager to convince political elites and voters that he should be considered a top-tier candidate. He ran in 2000 before bowing out to Bush’s older brother.