As he introduces himself to Republican presidential primary voters, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is emphasizing the role he played when the federal budget was balanced in the 1990s.
Kasich is expected to announce his entrance into the race for the White House Tuesday during an event at Ohio State University. He will become the 16th Republican to join the race.
The former House Budget chairman was the architect of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, something he boasts in a new ad which will start airing Tuesday in New Hampshire.
“I spent 10 years of my life fighting to balance the budget,” Kasich says in the ad. “Not because it was about numbers, but because it was about values. We don’t have a right to live beyond our means and make sure that our children pay the debt.”
As he enters the race, Kasich needs to better his poll numbers to participate in the first national debate with Fox News next month.
He is polling at just 1.5 percent, or 12th place, in the Real Clear Politics national polling average. The debate will include the top 10.
His political operation is attempting to differentiate Kasich from others as someone who has significant experience in both domestic and foreign policy.
“He balanced the federal budget for the first time since man walked on the moon; it hasn’t been done since,” said Matt Carle, an aide to Kasich’s political action committee. “He also has national security experience and is the successful governor of Ohio. No one else can say those things.”
WATCH THE AD: