How do you think Kasich will do as Ohio's governor?
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COLUMBUS — In a somber, six-minute ceremony just moments after midnight, Republican John Kasich swore to uphold the Ohio Constitution and faithfully serve as the state’s 69th governor.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor administered the oath to both Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor in the Ohio Senate’s ornate chambers at the Statehouse. Kasich, 58, started his political career in the same chambers in 1979 as a state senator. More than 150 friends, family and public officials greeted Kasich as he entered the room with his wife, Karen, and their twin 10-year-old daughters, Reese and Emma. They responded to the moment with whistles, cheers, applause and a standing ovation.
In his first act as governor, Kasich swore in his cabinet members and urged them to work as a team in his administration.
“At the age of 26, I was sworn in in the Ohio Senate and I sat right at that desk. It was pretty cool,” Kasich said.
Kasich has pledged to bring jobs to Ohio, lower taxes, reduce regulations, revamp the workers compensation program and privatize state-run functions such as some prisons and the state Department of Development. Kasich takes the helm of a state with 9.8 unemployment, close to a record prison population, 2.1 million Ohioans on Medicaid and a looming $8 billion deficit in the upcoming state budget.
Kasich, who narrowly beat Democrat Ted Strickland, is scheduled to follow the midnight oath with a public ceremony today.
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