Butch Otter threw his support behind a fellow Republican governor Wednesday, endorsing Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president.
The Kasich campaign announced the endorsement, one day after Kasich finished fifth in the Nevada GOP caucuses.
“There’s simply no substitute for executive experience,” Otter said in a news release. “Gov. Kasich has proven himself to be a leader who can effectively balance a budget, open the door to job creation and bring people together to find solutions. His record of results is unmatched by any other candidate, and it is time for Republicans to coalesce around his vision for our nation. I look forward to spreading his message of optimism and strength here in Idaho.”
Otter’s endorsement is not necessarily a surprise.
In a Feb. 11 question-and-answer session with reporters, Otter said he could support Kasich or another Republican with Statehouse experience, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. But those comments came before Bush suspended his campaign, after a disappointing finish in the South Carolina primary.
Idaho Republicans vote in the presidential primary on March 8.