Carl Weiser

cweiser@enquirer.com

The internet and social media are awash in efforts to draft politicians.

But this one is a bit intriguing.

A new Twitter account (@Kasich4Senate) joins a Facebook page and a change.org petition as part of an effort to get Ohio Gov. John Kasich to run for U.S. Senate in 2018.

"First I've heard of it," said Chris Schrimpf, who served as spokesman for Kasich's presidential campaign. "Have never heard it mentioned."

Kasich won only Ohio during the Republican primaries and ultimately refused to endorse or vote for President-elect Donald Trump. He had planned a Washington D.C. speech two days after Election Day - a speech he canceled after Trump's stunning victory.

Kasich is term-limited, so running for U.S. Senate would not be illogical. He'd face a formidable foe in U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a populist Democrat first elected in 2006.

A July Quinnipiac University poll asked about both men. By 48 percent to 30 percent Ohio voters approved of the job Brown was doing; Kasich's numbers were 58/32.

Devin Bilski of Perrysburg told Cincinnati.com via Facebook that he's behind all three efforts. A senior at Ohio State University studying Marketing and Political Science, Bilski said he hasn't spoken to Kasich about the efforts. But his enthusiasm is clearly boundless.

"John Kasich has been a fantastic governor for the great state of Ohio, but in 2018, his term expires and he is term limited." the change.org petition reads. "Throughout 2016 he put forth his vision for America: a vision of hope and unity, an America where those in the shadows are lifted up and given a second chance. Despite not winning the presidency, Governor Kasich can still help implement his vision for America in the United States Senate."

Bilski told Cincinnati.com he traveled to both New Hampshire and Wisconsin for Kasich's campaign and volunteered for Kasich's kick-off announcement at Ohio State in 2015.

At least two Republicans already could be gearing up to challenge Brown; State Treasurer Josh Mandel, who lost to Brown in 2012; and Kasich ally and U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi.