Karen Waldbillig Kasich (born December 26, 1963) is an American business executive and wife of Governor of Ohio and former 2016 presidential candidate John Kasich. Kasich was born in

Upper Arlington, Ohio Upper Arlington, often known by its initials U.A., is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area. The Old Arlington neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ...

, a suburb of

Columbus Columbus is a Latinized version of the Italian surname "''Colombo''". It most commonly refers to: * Christopher Columbus (1451-1506), the Italian explorer * Columbus, Ohio, capital of the U.S. state of Ohio Columbus may also refer to: Places ...

, and obtained a bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio State University. She and then-Congressman Kasich were married in 1997. Kasich left her job as vice president with GSW Worldwide, a health-care advertising agency, to become a full-time parent when the Kasichs' twin daughters, Emma and Reese, were 2 years old. Karen Kasich, alongside Emma and Reese, campaigned with the Governor in New Hampshire in the weeks before the New Hampshire Republican primary, 2016.

Political efforts

As a result of the loss of her mother to congestive heart failure, Kasich has been involved in multiple statewide efforts to increase awareness surrounding women's heart health. She has partnered with the Ohio State University’s College of Nursing and the Million Hearts Campaign, which promotes health screenings that aid in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. She also serves as statewide ambassador for After-School All-Stars Ohio, "a program that provides at-risk students with after-school academic support, mentoring, and fitness activities in a safe environment." Kasich is currently a member of both The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s public relations advisory board and the Ohio Valley’s Go Red for Women Council (a program of the American Heart Association which empowers women to live heart-healthy lifestyles). Additionally, she is an Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School ambassador, and her efforts involve encouraging children to walk and bike to school safely and confidently. Along with her husband, John Kasich, she has toured Ohio to promote Ohio’s youth drug prevention program, Start Talking!.

Personal life

A self-professed "fitness freak," Kasich enjoys swimming and running, and has completed multiple marathons.

Media

Karen Kasich: Fitness Fanatic and First Lady of Ohio

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kasich, Karen Waldbillig 1963 births First Ladies and Gentlemen of Ohio John Kasich Living people Ohio Republicans Ohio State University School of Communication alumni