Presidential Candidate John Kasich Says CT has to 'Stop Punishing Businesses'

FAIRFIELD, CT - Ohio Governor and Republican presidential nominee hopeful John Kasich came to Connecticut Friday looking for votes and dishing out a few barbs too at the state’s elected officials.

During the question and answer period of the forum held in Fairfield, Kasich said Connecticut has to stop punishing businesses.

“I read about another company getting ready to leave Connecticut... the proof is in the pudding,” he said.

Kasich is the first candidate to come to Connecticut this election cycle to host a town hall event. Others have appeared, but mostly in fundraising missions.

The event was hosted by Republican State Sen. Tony Hwang, Kasich’s Connecticut campaign chairman, and former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays at Sacred Heart University. Kasich packed the Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center for the event.

Shays pitched Kasich as a man with trusted record.

“The promise of America has had some problems and you all have a right to be angry,” Shays said. “There is a solution and the solution is not to elect an angry man that acts like a seventh grade bully… and it's not to elect a one-term senator.”

A Fairfield University student told Kasich about how her family ran into roadblocks after her father died from complications from Agent Orange exposure after serving in the Vietnam War. For three years they have been trying to get certain benefits, she said.

Kasich asked if the student was doing OK and took the opportunity to talk about his faith. He also promised to work with others to cut through the tape and get her family the help they need.

He also said that the Veterans Administration is in disarray and that it needs someone in charge who can steamroll through problems and cut through the bureaucracy.

Politicians used to perform better when they challenged the establishment and were less worried about being reelected, he said.

“Why do you think we are $19 trillion in the hole.” Kasich said. “It’s because people are worried about themselves and not about you.”

Concerning why he is still in the presidential race, Kasich said when delegates go to convention hall they feel a sense of responsibility and that he was the only candidate with a record of success.

Numerous current national polls show Kasich is the only GOP candidate to beat Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Donald Trump is trailing both Democrats in a hypothetical matchup by double digits, while Ted Cruz also trails both Democrats.

Many conservatives talk about President Ronald Reagan, but Kasich said he actually worked with him and supported him before he became popular.

Repealing Obamacare was a false promise politicians made in order to get elected and Kasich said he wouldn’t take the low road to the highest office in the country by preying on people’s anger and fear.