Kasich Meets With Billionaire As He Ponders 2020 White House Run

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who was among the final Republicans opposing Donald Trump for his party's nomination in 2016 presidential election, is mulling another run in 2020, according to media reports. He and his GOP allies have been meeting with high-power donors to gauge their interest in supporting his run against Trump.

Kasich in March met with billionaire investor Ron Burkle, reported CNBC on Thursday. Kasich also was asked to speak at a private event at Burkle's mansion, reported the cable news network. He reportedly discussed leadership value and police reforms during the event.

According to the CNBC report, there are several GOP donors weighing the outcome of the 2018 midterm elections to decide if they will get behind Kasich as a challenger to Trump in 2020. If the Republican majority in Congress is lost – or even reduced – political observers will likely point to voter unhappiness with Trump as the reason. That could trigger them to back a challenge from the likes of Kasich.

Kasich seems like a good fit to run against Trump. Not only is he a moderate Republican, he a seasoned, well-spoken politician with allies in both parties and has appeal in the Midwest swing states. Kasich also has been one of a few high-profile Republicans who have publicly criticized Trump and challenged the president's rhetoric on gun-control, immigration and health care reform.

Among the Republican candidates vying for the 2016 GOP nomination, Kasich bowed out last – a day after Texas Sen. Ted Cruz withdrew – before Trump went on to get the nomination.

Kasich is currently in the final year of second term as Ohio governor. Term limits prevent him from running for a third term. Data from the Center For Responsive Politics, a non-partisan organization that monitors political spending, shows that in his 2016 run for the GOP nomination, Kasich raised nearly $20 million, including some $14.7 million from large donors.

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