NH Republican 'Icons' Humphrey, Thomson Back Kasich

Two New Hampshire conservative political icons and leaders endorsed a relatively long-shot Republican first-in-the-nation presidential primary candidate who has been gaining at least a tiny bit of steam during the past few weeks.

Former U.S. Sen. Gordon Humphrey, and long-time Republican activist Peter Thomson, both threw their support behind Gov. John Kasich, R-OH, on Oct. 2, 2015, calling him a conservative fiscal reformer and commitment to strengthening America’s military as proof that he has the ability to lead the revival that America needs, according to a statement.

“I‘ve known John Kasich since our time together in Congress,” Humphrey said. “I greatly admired and liked him then, and my admiration has only grown during his highly acclaimed five years as governor of our nation’s seventh-largest state. I can sum up John Kasich in three Cs. Character. Conservative principles. Competence and experience I completely trust. Impressive as the other candidates may be, no other candidate can match John Kasich. I recommend him enthusiastically to Granite Staters.”

Thomson agreed, calling the governor ”a proven reformer and a conservative fiscal leader without parallel.”

He added, “As someone who has worked extensively in state government, I know how hard it can be to make big changes while still bringing people together, which is why John Kasich’s record of results stands apart so much. He is the leader our country needs and I’m proud to be part of his team to make that happen.”

Kasich said he was “deeply grateful” for the support of both the conservative icon Humphrey and “political leader” Thomson.

“Sen. Humphrey is a force for conservative ideas and a staunch defender of our Constitution whose influence continues to this day,” Kasich said. “Not only is he a strong advocate for the sanctity of life but he is also a strong fiscal conservative and an expert on national security and foreign policy. As Americans we need to rededicate ourselves to the truth that strength leads to peace and that a strong America contributes to global stability. That is the leadership that Gordon Humphrey championed in Washington and, with his help, it’s the leadership I will bring to the White House. Peter comes from a distinguished New Hampshire political family and has carried on that tradition with his own dedicated service to the state and our nation. He knows New Hampshire inside and out and will be an enormous resource to our team. I’m deeply grateful that he is part of this effort.”

Humphrey served two terms in the U.S. Senate during the late 1970s through the early 1990s. In the last cycle, he threw his support behind then-Gov. Rick Perry, R-TX, but has also been known to also back long-shots. Last year, he threw his support in the U.S. Senate primary to Jim Rubens, a former staffer. Humphrey also owns WKXL 1450 in Concord.

Thomson served as chief of staff to his father, three-term Gov. Meldrim Thomson, director of the NH Department of Highway Safety, and in the administrations of President Reagan and President Bush.

Humphrey and Thomson join such political powerhouses as former U.S. Sen. John Sununu, former NH AG Tom Rath, and others who are supporting his campaign in the Granite State.

Despite some prominent endorsements, Kasich has been unable to catch fire in recent polling. Here’s currently logging in between 2 and 6 percent in a very large field of Republican candidates, according to RealClearPolitics.com.