Kasich picks Westerville for final speech

After traveling to far corners of the state for his annual State of the State speech, Gov. John Kasich this year is literally keeping it closer to home — in Westerville.

Kasich sent a letter to legislative leaders on Monday requesting that they convene a joint session on Tuesday, March 6, at the Fritsche Theatre at Otterbein University for his final State of the State speech. The speech would begin at 7 p.m.

Kasich delivered last year’s speech in Sandusky, and in past years has traveled to Lima, Steubenville, Medina, Marietta and Wilmington.

Governors traditionally give the annual speech in the Statehouse, but Kasich decided to take the show on the road. In recent years, some lawmakers from both parties have grown weary of the traveling event and have tried to convince him to bring it back to Columbus.

The House and Senate must approve the time and location before it is official. Kasich lives in Genoa Township in Delaware County, near Westerville.

Rep. Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville, an Otterbein alumnus, said it’s a “great idea” that Kasich is bringing the speech to town.

“It makes perfect sense that the governor is doing the State of the State in the city where he began his run for governor,” she said, noting that he kicked off his first campaign for governor at the Everal Barn in Westerville in 2009. “It is a great opportunity to showcase Westerville to legislators and other visitors.