COLUMBUS, Ohio – Gov. John Kasich is set to deliver the State of the State speech in Medina today while his political rivals jockey for their share of the spotlight.
The Republican governor is expected to focus heavily on new education, investment and job training ideas aimed at benefiting Ohio’s economy when he delivers the speech in the northeastern Ohio home turf of his rival for the governor’s face, Democrat Ed FitzGerald, and the hometown of Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder.
FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County executive, kicked off a tour across the state on Saturday in Cleveland and Medina. FitzGerald and his running mate made a series of separate stops around Ohio over the weekend to present what they called “the real state of the state.”
FitzGerald also spoke in Columbus Saturday while his running mate, Dayton-area attorney Sharen Neuhardt, was scheduled to appear in Youngstown and Zanesville.
On Monday, FitzGerald is in Akron and Lakewood. Neuhardt visits Cincinnati and Dayton.
Kasich is also being challenged by members of his own party. Representatives from the Portage County Tea Party have organized a rally outside the site of Monday’s address to protest policies they have taken issue with, including Medicaid expansion, use of the Common Core education standards and proposing a fracking tax
Kasich has not drawn any GOP challengers in the race.
Democrat Larry Ealy also is seeking the office, as is Libertarian Charlie Earl.