COLUMBUS – Gov. John Kasich comes off the presidential campaign trail to deliver his State of the State speech to Ohio’s first city.
The long-shot Republican presidential contender returns to his home state — a perennial political battleground — to deliver the annual address.
The speech comes as pressure mounts on Kasich to drop out of the race for the White House. He delivered a third place finish in Tuesday’s Wisconsin primary.
Wednesday’s speech at the Peoples Bank Theatre in historic Marietta in southeast Ohio will mark the fifth consecutive year that the address is being held outside the Statehouse in Columbus.
Located where the Muskingum and Ohio rivers meet, Marietta became the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory in 1788.
Kasich has said the city has a unique place in Ohio and American history.
The location also gives a nod, if unspoken, to Ohio’s pivotal role in American politics. No Republican has ever made it to the White House without winning Ohio, and it’s home to eight former presidents.
Kasich has invited legislative leaders to ride aboard his plane to the address, about 120 miles, or a two-hour drive, from the Statehouse.
Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni says it’s the first time Kasich has asked the Democratic leaders to join him. Schiavoni said Tuesday he’s accepted the invite and hopes to discuss issues important to his district and caucus.
Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) also accepted Kasich’s offer.
House Minority Leader Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) declined, saying other travel arrangements were planned.