Ex-Fox News' Kasich to run for Ohio gov

WESTERVILLE, Ohio, May 27 (UPI) -- Former Fox News television commentator and Republican U.S. congressman John Kasich plans to announce he's running for Ohio governor, sources say.

The former 18-year member of the House of Representatives and Wall Street executive will make the announcement Monday in his hometown of Westerville, Ohio, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported Wednesday without naming its sources.

The newspaper said Kasich has spent the last six months speaking to Republican groups around Ohio under the banner of his political action committee, Recharge Ohio, during which he has voiced criticism of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

The Plain Dealer said Kasich, who at times has guest hosted for conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly on Fox News, has been the top choice of state GOP leaders who are said to be less than enthusiastic about the previously announced gubernatorial bid of Republican State Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls.