CLEVELAND — Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Thursday said he was happy with his decision to not address the GOP convention this week, in the wake of Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzMurkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE’s controversial appearance.

"I think you can all understand why I didn't show up to speak at a convention, by the way, after what you saw last night," the former presidential contender told a breakfast with Buckeye State Republicans.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cruz, a Texas senator whose primary bid also failed against Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE, now the party nominee, on Wednesday night declined to endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention, sending the event into chaos.

Trump said the snub was "no big deal" in a late-night tweet, but campaign officials spent Thursday morning on television networks attacking Cruz's decision not to endorse.

Kasich has also not endorsed Trump after the bitter GOP presidential primary. He emphasized Thursday that he was still focused on helping campaign for Republicans, including Sens. Kelly Ayotte Kelly Ann AyotteBottom line Bottom line Bottom Line MORE (R-N.H.) and John McCain John Sidney McCainMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day McConnell urges GOP senators to 'keep your powder dry' on Supreme Court vacancy McSally says current Senate should vote on Trump nominee MORE (R-Ariz.).

Kasich acknowledged his Trump convention snub has created some awkwardness for state party officials.

He mentioned Matt Borges, the state GOP chairman, remarking, "I have personally made his job more difficult."

Democratic Senate candidate Ted Strickland this week cited Kasich skipping the convention to knock incumbent Sen. Rob Portman Robert (Rob) Jones PortmanMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Romney undecided on authorizing subpoenas for GOP Obama-era probes Congress needs to prioritize government digital service delivery MORE (R).

Portman is one of the GOP's most vulnerable senators this year and endorsed Trump shortly after Kasich ended his own bid.

"Portman does not have the courage that John Kasich has," Strickland said.

The governor also touted the fact that Cleveland this week has been largely calm with just a handful of tense moments involving protesters and police. Most expected many rowdy protests at the convention.

"We think at the end of it there will be economic gain and job creation that will come from this," Kasich said.

Kasich exited the event Thursday morning without taking questions.

Portman also spoke at the breakfast, praising Mike Pence Michael (Mike) Richard PenceMcConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election MORE's speech Wednesday night, the Indiana governor's first as vice presidential nominee.

"I believe we are more unified than ever after this week," Portman said.

—This story was updated at 9:33 a.m.