Ohio Governor John Kasich is far behind Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in the race to pick up delegates before the Republican National Convention in July, but his supporters say he still has a fighting chance.
“I think you pick the guy that can win in the fall. And right now the others can't win in the fall,” said Robin Williams-Beers of Baltimore County.
Several hundred people packed into Savage Mill in Howard County, Kasich's first visit to Maryland as a presidential candidate.
He brings, they say, a voice of reason to an election season dominated more by the volume of what's being said, rather than what's being said.
“Very approachable. And I just thought he did a great job,” said Melissa Bolton of Howard County.
“He's a great candidate,” said Tim Tilghman of Howard County. “He's the last governor standing. I want a governor. We've had enough of seven years on the job training with a senator.”
Joe Klein goes to college here in Maryland but he's from California, which doesn't hold its primary until June. Klein believes if Kasich can get a good portion of his home state's 172 delegates, he might have a chance.
“I think a big win here would be nice, along with some April 26th states like Connecticut. And then if we can do pretty well in California going into the convention I think he has the best argument for electability,” Klein said.
It's an argument that would have to be made at an open or "brokered" Republican Convention in July, because even if Kasich wins every single remaining delegate, he still would not reach the magic number of 1237 before the convention begins.
“Well I don't think any of them are going to get to the number. So I think it's going to be a brokered convention and Governor Kasich will be able to make his pitch,” said Bunky Luffman of Wicomico County.
“Who knows what's going to happen at the Republican Convention. I mean things are so crazy, that he might actually end up with the nomination. Who knows?" Bolton said.
Maryland will award 38 Republican delegates in the primary on April 26th, with 14 of them will go to the winner of the statewide vote. The rest will be granted to the winner in each of the state's eight congressional districts, three delegates per district.
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