Husted on Denali, Kasich and other items

After speaking to a downtown Columbus lunch crowd about statewide ballot issues, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted took questions from Statehouse reporters on a range of topics. Here is what he had to say.

Will he run for governor in 2018?

"I'm focused on '15 and '16 and after '16 obviously I'll be term limited. There will be an outcome of the presidential election and at that point in time, if I'm going to make a public announcement, I'll make a public announcement. But there is nothing to say today about that." He added that it's fair to say he'll pursue elective office after his term as secretary of state ends.

What does he think of the renaming of Mt. McKinley to Denali?

"I guess, if that's what the people from Alaska want, then, you know I wouldn't want people from Alaska telling me what things in Ohio should be. So I guess we shouldn't tell people in Alaska should do in their own state. But I'm a big fan of Canton and McKinley and I'm glad that he's getting talked about some more."

How does he think Ohio Gov. John Kasich is doing in the presidential primary campaign?

"I think he has put himself in a position where he is one of the few people that can actually win a general election. I've said I would support the governor because I think it's good for Ohio that he is there. And he has done nothing in this campaign to hurt himself or do anything but make Ohio look good." State law prohibits the secretary of state from being officially involved in presidential campaign. "The positions that he has taken on a variety of economic and social issues, I think, are inclusive, they're aspirational, they speak to what people's hopes and dreams are for America. And he has not been an angry candidate, he has been a hopeful candidate. I believe that is what it takes to win, to become the president of the United States where you have to be the president for everybody, not just some people."

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