Kasich picks up major endorsement from Alabama governor

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday landed the endorsement of fellow governor Robert Bentley of Alabama, as the presidential hopeful seeks to build support for his White House bid and courts voters in the South.

At the endorsement, announced Monday at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Bentley said Kasich has the executive-level experience and background necessary to lead.

Alabama faces a $200 million general fund budget shortfall that lawmakers will again face during a second special session.

Bentley is the first Deep South governor to endorse Kasich, who is generally viewed as being among the more moderate Republican contenders.

Kasich said he didn’t spend time during his term as governor building broader name recognition and that he thinks an endorsement from Bentley — a past supporter of and delegate for Mike Huckabee — will go a long way.