Ohio has 2 of top 12 leaders in the world

Fortune is out with its annual list of the “World’s Greatest Leaders,” and, perhaps stunningly to some, there is Ohio Gov. John Kasich at No. 12.

He’s right behind another Ohioan whose name you might recognize: LeBron James.

Kasich was cited for pushing positions unpopular with his own Republican Party.

“As the acerbity of political discourse threatens to infect the whole culture, the best leaders stay refreshingly open to other views, engaging opponents constructively rather than waging war,” Fortune said in explaining how it came up with its list.

“Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio and Democratic Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, for example, advocate positions the other party favors — and both won re-election easily the last time they faced their home voters.”

Theo Epstein, president for baseball operations of the Chicago Cubs, was ranked No. 1.

President Donald Trump did not make the top 50.

Kasich was given kudos for meeting with Trump and pitching to keep the Medicaid expansion that has brought health coverage to more than 700,000 Ohioans.

“Kasich’s moderation didn’t resonate with Republican voters in last year’s presidential primaries. But as the leader of a politically consequential state, the Trump skeptic commands a key platform,” Fortune said.

James was lauded for doing more than delivering Cleveland’s first world championship in 50 years.

“James has realized this ambition through the LeBron James Family Foundation, which will provide mentoring and full college scholarships to 1,100 underprivileged children in his hometown of Akron. He has also used his platform as the game’s most famous star to speak out on issues such as President Donald Trump’s immigration executive order and the relationship between law enforcement and black communities.”