Stamco Industries does metal stamping for automotive, military and other uses. A forest of the companies’ huge blue machines – decked in campaign banners – was the backdrop for the governor’s visit, as he accepted the nod from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association.
Eric Burkland introduced Kasich.
"It’s my pleasure to announce the OMA endorsement of Governor John Kasich for four more years of job-creating service as our governor," he said. "Governor, thank you for your outstanding leadership for our state, and for the men and women of manufacturing."
Kasich got the endorsement despite the group’s objection to a measure he signed that rolled back Ohio’s renewable energy standards.
A podium and makeshift stage went unused by the governor, who stood in a crowd of a few dozen in folding chairs as he touted his support for vocational training, and shrinking regulation and taxes. He and the trade group officials credited those policies with the recent growth in manufacturing jobs.
Kasich said those jobs are good ones – highly skilled, with paths to advance.
"Do you know what welders are making today?" he asked the crowd. "There’s more demand for welders than there was for LeBron James in Cleveland, I’m telling you!"
Kasich answered a few questions from the audience, agreeing with one man’s idea for a high school workplace immersion program, and bluntly rejecting another’s question about developing light rail service.
Even while on his turf, Kasich never mentioned his Democratic opponent, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald.