Former Gov. Pataki Endorses John Kasich For President
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Former New York Gov. George Pataki announced Thursday that he is endorsing Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president.
Pataki made the announcement five days ahead of the New York primary. He said he will serve as national co-chair for Kasich for America.
"John Kasich is the candidate Americans can trust to revive our economy, strengthen our national defense and represent our great nation with dignity. His record of balancing the federal budget and propelling Ohio's economic turnaround speaks to his extraordinary ability to solve problems and bring people together," Pataki said in a news release. "Today, John Kasich is only the Republican candidate who will defeat Hillary Clinton in the fall and at the end of the day is the most qualified to serve as President of the United States."
Kasich said in the release that he was "thrilled" to receive Pataki's endorsement.
"George is a formidable leader who ran his campaign with great integrity," Kasich said in the release. "On the campaign trail in the Governor's home state of New York, I spoke recently about our choice between the path of optimism and unity on one side and the path of division and fear on the other. I deeply appreciate Governor Pataki's willingness to walk alongside us on the higher path."
Pataki himself mounted a run for the Republican presidential nomination, but he suspended his campaign in December.
In January, Pataki endorsed Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio for president, calling him the one candidate in either party with the ability to bring the American people together.
But Rubio suspended his campaign in March, after losing his home state to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
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