John Kasich predicts a home-state win in Ohio one week away
John Kasich at his election night rally on Tuesday told supporters he would win his home state of Ohio in the critical winner-take-all primary next Tuesday.
"One week from tonight, we are going to win the state of Ohio, and it will be a whole new ball game," the Ohio governor and presidential candidate told his supporters. "We're going to win in this state because of you."
Kasich's rally came as results still trickled in from Michigan's primary -- Trump was declared the winner shortly after 9 p.m. ET, with Kasich in second, just edging out Ted Cruz.
"I think the people are beginning to reward a positive campaign," Kasich said. "I want you to know that I'm going to run a positive campaign and not get down in the gutter and throw mud at anybody."
While he called Michigan a beautiful state, Kasich said he almost "kissed the ground" when he landed back in Ohio on Tuesday.
His campaign's chief strategist, John Weaver, released a memo Tuesday night that argues Kasich has beaten the odds and has performed better than expected in several contests.
"The results in Michigan today -- on top of previous second place finishes in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire -- provide more proof that support for Governor Kasich will only grow stronger in the days and weeks ahead," the memo said.
The memo goes on to suggest Kasich could do well in many of the nominating contests after next Tuesday.
"After March 15, more than 1,000 delegates will still be available, and the electoral map shifts significantly in our favor, with the delegate-rich states fitting Governor Kasich's profile," it said.