Kasich gives another comforting hug

The hugger-in-chief struck again last week. As Gov. John Kasich was taking audience questions at the Columbus Metropolitan Club, one woman took the mike and in a shaky voice said she fears the future of health care.

“I struggle with mental illness,” she acknowledged.

Kasich strode into the crowd toward her. “Come here, sweetheart,” he said as he gave her a hug to the crowd’s applause.

The 24-year-old who works at Easton got another hug — and an autographed copy of Kasich’s new book — after the event.

She did not want her name used, but said she came alone to the speech since “it’s a really uncertain time for the country, and I just wanted to talk to him, because he’s somebody I really look up to.”

The governor noted he has run into people in similar situations at many events — most famously at Clemson University just before last year’s South Carolina primary, where a video of the embrace went viral. Governor back on the book trail

Speaking of Kasich’s “Two Paths,” his multi-state book tour is picking up again this week.

Monday he’s in Austin at the largest independent bookstore in Texas. Expect to see him on TV Tuesday and Wednesday during a visit to New York City.

Then on Thursday and Friday the Ohio governor hits book stores in Florida and speaks at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches (tickets are $77 apiece for the general public), billed as “Florida’s largest nonpartisan political and public affairs organization” dating back to its inaugural speaker, President Jimmy Carter.

Health department counting on Browns

Evidently, the Ohio Department of Health is counting on the Cleveland Browns having a better season this year.

The agency is seeking approval at Monday’s State Controlling Board meeting for an unbid $150,000 immunization marketing campaign with the NFL team.

“By displaying TV ads, radio commercials and signage at Browns Stadium, (the department) will be able to get public health messages in front of 400,000 people during the contract timeframe,” the proposal reads. “The timing of this contract occurs prior to some major events at Browns Stadium. This includes an international soccer match, U2 concert and Cleveland Brown home games.”

The health department said it also had reached out to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Crew, Ohio State University sports teams and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Board to consider $323M in requests

Speaking of unbid contracts before the controlling board, Monday’s gathering will see a huge stack: proposals for about $323 million.

Many are for specialized services, but you can also find requests for $135,000 for parking by Attorney General Mike DeWine’s staffers, $5,500 to obtain a “Secured Outside Recreation Cage” for the Pickaway Correctional Institution and $15,000 for janitorial services at the Springfield Air National Guard Base.

Statehouse to show speaker portraits

Portraits of seven former Ohio House speakers are being unveiled at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Statehouse Rotunda.

The lineup, along with the artist: Charles F. Kurfess (R) 1967-1972 by Ned Bittinger; A.G. Lancione (D) 1973-1975 by Bittinger; Vernal G. Riffe Jr. (D) 1975-1995 by Daniel E. Greene; Larry Householder (R) 2001-2005 by Greene; Jon Husted (R) 2005-2009 by Bittinger; Armond Budish (D) 2009-2011 by Greene; William G. Batchelder (R) 2011-2015 by Leslie Adams.

If you notice a gap, it’s because Ohio’s first female House speaker, Jo Ann Davidson of Reynoldsburg, already has a Statehouse portrait.