'The Hug' Gives Up Spring Break to Help Kasich

Brett Smith -- a University of Georgia student now known as "The Hug" -- is giving up his spring break to help Ohio Gov. John Kasich win the GOP presidential nomination.

Smith recently attended a South Carolina rally for Kasich, during which he shared his troubles with the candidate and the audience.

“Over a year ago, a man who was like my second dad, he killed himself,” Smith said, as reported by the Washington Post. “And then a few months later, my parents got a divorce, and then a few months later, my dad lost his job. I was in a really dark place for a long time, I was pretty depressed. I found hope in the Lord and in my friends and now I’ve found it in my presidential candidate that I support.

"And I would really appreciate one of those hugs you’ve been talking about, ” which prompted quite the emotional exchange between Smith and Kasich, which you can see in the video above.

Now, Smith is in Ohio and calling registered voters from Kasich's Toledo campaign office, according to WTOL. He says Kasich has brought humanity and dignity to this year's presidential election, and while he once considered Jeb Bush or Marco Rubio, he is now all in for Kasich.

Smith is uncertain about his future college plans, but is hopeful that, in the short term at least, he'll get a chance to meet Kasich away from the microphones and cameras.

Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons