According to a report published by Politico on Friday, a primary challenge to Trump is under discussion by Ohio Gov. John Kasich and his team.
Citing 9 Republicans in or close with Kasich’s political operation, the news outlet reports that John Kasich’s inner circle is preparing for a possible presidential run in 2020 — actively weighing the prospect of a Republican primary challenge to President Donald Trump against the feasibility of a general election campaign as an independent.
From POLITICO:
“There’s one consideration driving their thinking perhaps more than any other: what some of his advisers consider the very real, maybe even likely, possibility that Trump doesn’t run again — by choice or not — or that the president becomes so politically hobbled by late next year that the political landscape fundamentally shifts in Kasich’s favor. That’s one reason Kasich has yet to decide whether to pursue an independent bid or a primary challenge.”
According to the report, Kasich has been working with a tight clutch of advisers and informally surveying donors and fellow pols about the shape of his next steps. So far, he has solidified his role as a go-to commentator for national news shows while stacking his schedule with trips including an April return to New Hampshire.
“He’s actually been pretty straightforward about it: He would like to run again if he sees an opening. And if Trump runs again, there’s no opening. But if Trump doesn’t run, there is one,” said Charlie Black, the veteran Republican operative and Kasich 2016 campaign adviser who said he still speaks with him.
Kasich has also heard from friends who see a real chance for him to become the first successful independent candidate.
For now, Kasich is still waiting for the right moment to decide which route to take, watching Trump from afar.
“I don’t think anyone knows” what Kasich will do, said Rath, according to Politico. “because we don’t know what the circumstances are. Anybody who thinks they know what’s going to happen in 2020? All I can tell you is they’re going to be wrong.”
