COLUMBUS — It's no secret John Kasich has been keeping his options open for a possible 2020 presidential run, even if that means taking on President Trump.

Now, he may have a partner.

Kasich, the Republican governor of Ohio, is eyeing Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, as a possible vice presidential candidate for an independent 2020 bid. The possibility of a "unity ticket" is under discussion, but the two are far from making a final decision or planning an actual campaign launch, two people familiar with the conversations told The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Kasich and Hickenlooper have been collaborating on proposals for reworking the country's health care system. Kasich spurned each one of his party's attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare, often citing his desire to continue Medicaid expansion for lower-income adults.

The health care partnership — which may expand into immigration and economic policies, the sources said — is part of Kasich's effort to keep his name in national political conversations ahead of 2020. The Ohio governor, who is 65, is term-limited after his second term ends in 2018.

Also part of Kasich's efforts: near-weekly appearances on national politics shows, regular statements on Twitter disagreeing with Trump's policies and a book that opposes Trump's style and philosophies. He and Hickenlooper are discussing a possible television show or podcast, the people familiar with the conversations said.

Axios first reported the discussions about the joint ticket.

Still, nothing involving Kasich and 2020 is certain. The outlook of the Trump presidency, the status of the Republican field (and the Democratic one, for that matter) and Kasich's own feelings about staying in the Republican Party all would weigh into the Ohio governor's decision about his next steps.

"The only plans Governor Kasich has right now is to speak out and continue to lead on issues such as health care," said John Weaver, a political strategist for Kasich, who routinely retweets people who wish Kasich were president or would run in 2020. “There are no plans about 2020 or 2080 or any other year. ...

"When you have a weak president … people start speculating about how to fill that vacuum."