Ohio Gov. John Kasich won’t join Donald Trump for Cincinnati rally

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who refused to endorse Donald Trump or even participate in the Republican National Convention in Cleveland where he was nominated, will not join the president-elect today as he takes a victory lap in Cincinnati.

“No, the event is not on his calendar,” said Kasich press secretary Emmalee Kalmbach. Instead, Kasich has meetings scheduled in Columbus as he prepares his upcoming two-year state budget proposal, she said.

Last month while in Washington, D.C. when the Cleveland Cavaliers team was being honored at the White House, Kasich said that he is praying for the success of Trump and he did send out a congratulatory tweet.

“What we can all do as Americans is join hands, join arms, say a few prayers for the success of the next president of the United States,” Kasich said outside the White House.

It is unclear whether U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, will be with Trump. His spokeswoman said Portman had hoped to go but it depends on his Senate schedule. Portman initially endorsed Trump but revoked it after a hot mic video emerged in which Trump made crude comments about kissing and groping women against their will.

Trump’s rally will be at U.S. Bank Arena downtown, 100 Broadway St., the site of one of Trump’s largest Ohio rallies in the final weeks of the campaign. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m.

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