Congressman Turner: Kasich ‘excellent vice president choice’

Ohio Congressman Mike Turner said John Kasich ran an “excellent” campaign and would do equally as well as Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate.

“I think John Kasich would be an excellent choice for vice president,” Turner said of the Ohio governor ahead of his expected presidential campaign suspension.

In remarks Wednesday at the Schuster Center in Dayton, Turner said he expects to see Kasich “in the next administration or even another campaign as he takes his national stature forward.”

Turner said Kasich’s past experience on the U.S. House armed services and budget committees would be valuable to Trump as vice president.

“When you look for a vice president you look for someone who has national expertise,” Turner said. “As they look at what the qualifications are in the field that’s out there, I think John Kasich’s resume is above all of them.”

Still, Turner wouldn’t commit to supporting Trump, despite calling him the “presumptive nominee.”

“Donald Trump hasn’t asked for my endorsement yet,” Turner said. “I’m sure as he moves forward we’ll look at supporting the nominee.”

“I have not endorsed Donald Trump, but I certainly will be supporting the Republican nominee,” said Turner, who formerly endorsed Kasich.

Even as a supporter, Turner said he realized Kasich wasn’t likely to become the nominee.

“I think everyone understood at this point that John wasn’t likely to come out as the presidential nominee, but he still was making important points and headway,” he said. “Sometimes you help frame the debate even if you aren’t the ultimate victor, and certainly John Kasich can claim that he did this here.”

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