Kasich's 2016 fundraising starts, backed by 'super donor'

This story was originally published April 20, 2015.

COLUMBUS - Gov. John Kasich's 2016-related fundraising kicked off Monday, backed by one of 2012's "super donors" and by a former U.S. senator from New Hampshire, home to the nation's first primary.

A New Day for America, a contribution-limit-free nonprofit formed by Kasich's supporters, registered Monday with the IRS and will begin fundraising to pay for Kasich's travel related to his possible presidential bid. The Enquirer first reported the nonprofit's incorporation last week with the Ohio secretary of state.

Following return trips last week to early-primary states South Carolina and New Hampshire, Kasich told NBC's "Meet the Press" he's getting "more and more serious" about a bid for the White House.

The official fundraising group, and the people behind it, signals just how serious the Kasich effort is.

Leading the list of board members is Philip Geier, who served for 20 years as CEO of Interpublic Group, one of the world's "big four" advertising conglomerates. Ahead of the 2012 election, Geier reportedly donated $1 million to the GOP-leaning political action committee American Crossroads and another $350,000 to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Restore Our Future PAC.

U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, a New Hampshire Republican who served with Kasich in Congress nearly two decades ago, joins Geier on the nonprofit's board. Sununu's leadership positions the group to spend heavily to help Kasich in his goal of using a New Hampshire primary win to boost him to the front of the GOP candidates.

The addition of two other board members is likely an attempt to signal Kasich's support from Ohio Republicans and businesses. Jo Ann Davidson, former speaker of the Ohio House, and Bruce Soll, a senior vice president at Columbus-based retailer L Brands, both will serve as directors of the nonprofit.

Matthew Yuskewich, a Columbus accountant, serves as the group's treasurer.

Kasich's possible presidential effort lags GOP frontrunners Jeb Bush, Scott Walker and Marco Rubio in both fundraising and name recognition. He's a moderate Republican, and Bush has snapped up support from donors and staffers of that ilk.

Still, in advancing his potential bid, Kasich is touting his experience as a nine-term congressman and a two-term governor, saying it puts him ahead of the other possible GOP candidates.

"I have more experience than anybody in the field," Kasich told "Meet the Press" Sunday. "I don't just talk about what I want to do; I can tell people what I've done."

Kasich's record isn't something to boast about, says Anderson Township's David Pepper, who chairs the Ohio Democratic Party.

Ohio's economic recovery continues to lag the nation's, and Kasich's policies have helped the wealthy, not working people, Pepper said Friday in a statement.

"It hasn't worked in Ohio, and it won't work for the country," Pepper said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.