Two More GOP Governors Poised to Enter 2016 Race

Following the 2014 midterm elections, in which Republican governors fared quite well, there was speculation that John Kasich (Ohio) and Rick Snyder (Michigan) may each enter the 2016 presidential race. Reports indicate that both men are now inching closer to joining the field sometime in the next couple months.

First, a report on Ohio’s John Kasich from the Washington Post:

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said in an interview broadcast Sunday that he plans to decide whether to run for president based heavily on whether he thinks he can raise enough money to compete for the GOP nomination.

“If I should be successful in raising sort of that seed money, then I think the next step is to see if people like what I have to say,” Kasich told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “And then, I think it’s going to be to find out around the country whether I can raise enough to compete, at least in the early states. And if that works, I am likely to go forward.”

Kasich recently moved closer to a 2016 run by launching a tax-exempt group that will allow him to raise money as he weighs his future. [Emphasis added] The Ohioan could become a factor in an already crowded field of GOP candidates and prospective contenders. He hails from a crucial swing state and has dramatically improved his political standing at home in recent years.

Asked what would dissuade him from running, Kasich responded, “Lack of resources or consideration that I wouldn’t win.”

For Kasich, he claims to be only waiting on the finances to see whether he thinks he can raise a formidable sum of money to be competitive.

Next, a report on Rick Snyder from The Daily Caller:

At least so says former Republican Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman. At the sidelines of the Republican Jewish Coalition’s Spring Meeting at the Venetian Hotel, Coleman said that he had recently talked to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and the governor told him he is planning to launch a White House bid.

“I met with Rick Snyder yesterday, the governor of Michigan,” Coleman, a supporter of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham’s potential bid for the White House, said while explaining the 2016 Republican field is far from yet set.

Asked by a reporter if Snyder is actually considering a run for president, Coleman said that’s what the governor told him.

“He’s running. He’s running,” Coleman said. “So, you know, the fields not yet set and folks are going to have a lot of flavors to choose from.”

From Snyder’s interaction with Norm Coleman, it would appear that privately Snyder may be telling potential donors and backers that he is seriously considering, or has already decided to launch a presidential campaign. Snyder has not spoken publicly much on the topic though speculation began when he won re-election back in November of 2014.

Neither Kasich or Snyder have the national recognition that Scott Walker has, though they’re all Republican governors of rust belt states. Kasich’s polling in Ohio indicates he’s sitting pretty well at north of 50% approval from his home state voters.

Snyder was enjoying similar strong approval numbers until he began pushing a budget which included an increase in state sales tax to fund road repairs, which pushed him from around 54% down to 46%. Tax increases, of most any kind, will be a hard sell in a competitive Republican primary field if Snyder does get into the race.