John Kasich earns a significant endorsement. | Getty Kasich gains support of Ron Burkle The billionaire investor has often supported Democrats in the past.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has secured the support of Ron Burkle, a billionaire investor who has been a prominent supporter of Democrats over the years — including the Clintons.

Burkle is slated to host a Jan. 12 fundraiser for the Republican presidential candidate at the Soho House in Los Angeles, according to a fundraising invitation obtained by POLITICO. The event is also expected to draw a number of other major political donors, including financier Gary Winnick and businessman Harry Sloan.


A co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Burkle has forked over $475,000 in contributions to federal candidates — the vast majority of it to Democrats. He provided thousands of dollars to Hillary Clinton in her 2000 Senate run and her 2008 presidential campaign.

Burkle and Bill Clinton were close for years, with the investor often taking the former president on his private plane. But in 2010, the two went through a public breakup. "Before, every trip with him seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now I have so many things to do,” Burkle said at the time.

Burkle has also plowed donations to a number of congressional Democats, including California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Yet, he has also provided support to some Republicans: During the 2012 presidential campaign, he cut a $2,500 check to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Over the course of the past two election cycles, Burkle gave $125,000 to Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC focused on Senate races.

