Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone throws support behind John Kasich
Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone is coming on board Ohio Gov. John Kasich's campaign to provide a boost to his presidential bid, Kasich's chief strategist said Thursday.
John Weaver announced the news on a conference call and said Langone will help "raise funds and provide leadership on the campaign side and the finance side."
Langone had previously backed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who dropped out of the 2016 presidential race on Wednesday.
Just two days after finishing second in New Hampshire's GOP primary, Kasich's campaign is planning to air "positive" ads in South Carolina starting Friday, Weaver said. The state holds its Republican primary on Feb. 20. Kasich will leave South Carolina next Wednesday for an event in Virginia and a fundraiser in New York City and will be returning to South Carolina next Thursday.
Langone's support is critical for Kasich if he wants to stick around in the presidential race and take advantage of the momentum he received from New Hampshire.
According to Forbes, Langone's net worth is $2.8 billion. In 2008, he backed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for president.
CBS News' Steve Chaggaris contributed to this story.