Republican John Kasich — the former presidential candidate who governs the swing state of Ohio — says he wrote-in John McCain’s name for president instead of his party’s nominee, Donald Trump.

Kasich voted by absentee ballot on Monday, a Kasich spokesman told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The aide said Kasich voted for McCain, the Arizona senator and 2008 GOP presidential nominee, for the White House and then voted straight-ticket Republican for the rest of the races on the ballot.

The paper noted: “The vote essentially is a symbolic gesture. Because McCain is not among the 18 certified write-in candidates in Ohio, Kasich’s vote for president will not count.”

Kasich dropped out of the presidential race in May, after only winning his home state of Ohio. He was thought to be a top contender for Trump’s running mate, considering his home state and experience in Washington, but he wouldn’t offer support to Trump.

Last month, Kasich released a statement, after video of Trump’s lewd conversation with Billy Bush surfaced, explaining why he would not support the nominee, saying: “Our country deserves better.”

“Many people were angry and questioned why I would not endorse Donald Trump or attend the Republican Convention,” he said. “I’ve long had concerns with Donald Trump that go beyond his temperament. We have substantive policy differences on conservative issues like trade, our relationship with Russia, and the importance of balancing the federal budget. I’ve held out hope that he would change on those disqualifying policy positions, but he has not. I’ve also encouraged him to change his behavior for the better and offer a positive, inclusive vision for our country, but he has not.”

According to the Real Clear Politics polling average in Ohio, Trump has a slim lead over Hillary Clinton in the state, beating the Democrat by 1.3 points.

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