45°
The speech capped a busy week of campaigning in and around New York City for Kasich as the Tuesday, April 19 New York primary nears.
Kasich, who had come from an event at Iona College in New Rochelle, began a nearly 20-minute stump speech by telling the black-tie crowd about his humble beginnings in a blue-collar town near Pittsburgh.
He described having little more when he started out than grit and determination to set him on a path to Washington, where he served nine terms as member of the U.S. House of Representatives, including six years as chairman of the House Budget Committee.
Kasich, who is serving his second gubernatorial term, spoke lovingly about the State of New York.
He said the state is "inspirational, fun," and "I feel like I'm getting younger every minute I'm in New York." He joked about having eaten pizza with a fork in Brooklyn, and having "the best meal he's ever had" at Arthur Avenue in the Bronx..
The presidential hopeful told an amusing tale of a college visit he made to see President Nixon in the White House after sending him a letter. But he also talked about serious issues including job creation, tax reduction and deregulation.
Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, former executive director of the Rockland Independent Living Center, is endorsing Kasich because of the governor's work to assist the disabled.
"Few people know what the governor has done for the most vulnerable among us -- an issue near and dear to my heart," Hoehmann said.
Rockland GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey, who is supporting Trump, the GOP frontrunner, said prior to the dinner, said, "Let's not talk about Trump. Tonight is about John Kasich and his presidential candidate."
Last week, Kasich opened a New York campaign office at 295 Route 304 in Bardonia.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Ramapo and receive free news updates.
