MOUNT VERNON — John Kasich will be the featured speaker at the Knox County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 16, at The Dan Emmett Conference Center.
Kasich can be seen on the Fox News Channel, where he hosts “Heartland with John Kasich,” and also guest hosts “The O’Reilly Factor,” filling in for Bill O’Reilly when necessary.
A 1974 graduate of The Ohio State University, Kasich began his elective political career in 1978 becoming a state senator. In 1982, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served until 2000. During his tenure in Congress he became chairman of the House Budget Committee in 1994 and worked toward a balanced budget.
In 2000, Kasich decided not to seek re-election. He formed an exploratory committee to run for president. He withdrew in July 1999 and endorsed George W. Bush.
He took a job as managing director of the investment banking division of Lehman Brothers in 2001. Kasich is chairman of the New Century Project.
Kasich’s book, “Courage is Contagious,” was a New York Times bestseller. He is of Croatian descent. Raised Roman Catholic, he currently attends a nondenominational evangelical Christian church with his wife and twin daughters.
“We are excited to have John Kasich as our Lincoln Day Speaker,” said Bill Moody, Knox County GOP chairman. “John is a national figure from his days of chair of the House Budget Committee and recently his show on Fox News. John is also at the top of the list of potential governor candidates for 2010.”
Tickets for the event can be obtained from an Republican office holder, central committee members, or by calling the Lincoln Day Dinner Committee: Moody, 694-4361; Carole Sue Owens, 397-0009; Margaret Ann Ruhl, 393-1889; Maggie Wagner, 397-7556; and Terry Divelbiss, 392-6108. A reception for candidates will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner at 7.
