Looks like John Kasich’s pulled ahead in the New Hampshire endorsement derby.
The governor of Ohio’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination got a fresh boost Tuesday when the Concord Monitor backed his candidacy.
“What really separates him from his New Hampshire primary opponents, other than his solid record as governor of Ohio, is his desire and ability to find common ground with politicians and voters of all stripes,” the newspaper said.
Kasich has been touting himself as a center-right alternative to the party’s more conservative candidates. He’s hoping for a breakthrough in New Hampshire’s Feb. 9 primary.
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Monday, Kasich was endorsed by the Boston Globe. Also supporting him are the Nashua Telegraph, Valley News, Portsmouth Herald, Foster's Daily Democrat and Bow Times.
One of his chief rivals for that center-right vote, Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, has been endorsed by the Boston Herald and the state’s most influential newspaper, the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Real estate mogul Donald Trump is far ahead among Republicans, in New Hampshire, according to Tuesday’s RealClearPolitics poll averages. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is second, but Kasich is close behind in third. Christie trails in sixth place.
David Lightman: 202-383-6101, @lightmandavid