John Kasich: A new love and growing family

Kasich met Karen Waldbillig, a public relations and marketing executive, at a photo shoot at Ohio State University and was immediately smitten.

According to a report by the Columbus Dispatch, Kasich told his chief of staff during the event “I’ve just seen the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

After an eight year courtship, the couple wed in 1997.

Karen Kasich delivered twin girls, Emma and Reese, in January 2000 and quit work two years later to stay home with their daughters. Emma and Reese attend a private Christian school in suburban Columbus.

Karen Kasich, who was born and raised in suburban Columbus, focuses on raising awareness for children’s wellness and women’s heart health.

She is an avid runner and fitness fanatic. Karen Kasich ran the 2006 Columbus Marathon in 4 hours, 28 minutes and the 2010 Air Force Marathon in Dayton in 4 hours, 11 minutes.

At his 2012 State of the State address in Steubenville, Kasich said “I remember that cartoon that said ‘Kasich will still not reveal how he snagged that hot wife.’”

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