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CAMPAIGN 2016: OREGON PRIMARY Kasich asks Southern Oregon voters for a shot in May 17 primary Ohio governor asks Southern Oregon voters for a May 17 boost Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Apr. 28, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 28, 2016 at 9:41 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Apr. 28, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 28, 2016 at 9:41 PM » Social News Republican presidential hopeful Gov. John Kasich of Ohio rallied a crowd of 400 tonight in Medford, asking voters to help him win in Oregon on May 17 despite facing long odds against his primary opponents. Kasich, who has a lone victory in his home state this campaign season, told a crowd gathered at Central Medford High School that he would address overspending in Washington. He pointed to an LCD sign with a climbing national debt, and promised to find creative ways to address issues ranging from health care to welfare in compassionate ways. "Can we just finally balance the budget again?" Kasich asked. Kasich took questions from the crowd, which he used as springboards to talk about areas of improvement on issues such as limiting regulation for small businesses and taking on nursing home health care costs, as he did in Ohio. Shortly after Kasich denounced how much free college education would impact the national debt, South Medford High School junior Steven Richmond asked Kasich how he'd make college more affordable. "Right now, it's almost impossible to pay for college without going into a massive amount of debt," Richmond said. Kasich suggested Richmond attend community college and take advanced placement college classes in high school to limit his expenses. He also asked if Richmond's math and English were strong before shifting his focus to general higher education issues. "Thirty to 40 percent of our students, even though they made great grades, go to college and have to take remedial classes," Kasich said, touching on ideas including third-year community college and privatizing university dormitories. Richmond kept him on point at the suggestion he go to a community college before transferring to a state school. "That's still about $50,000," Richmond said. "Yeah, but then you're going to have income because you have a degree," Kasich replied. For much of the rally, Kasich spoke about rethinking government costs such as farm subsidies that have been givens, and staying the course even in the face of complaints from those who receive them. "We have to have leaders who will have the courage to create change, no matter how much heat they take," Kasich said. After losing in GOP primaries earlier this week, Kasich is hoping to win in Oregon — which has 28 Republican delegates up for grabs — next month. He spoke to roughly 400 supporters earlier today at a town hall in Portland before making the trip to Medford. Kasich began courting voters in Oregon and New Mexico this week as part of a trade with rival Ted Cruz for Indiana, an unusual strategy that so far hasn't been fruitful in derailing front-runner Donald Trump's lead. But he faces an uphill fight. The first-ever public Republican poll for Oregon released today showed Trump with a double-digit lead, while Kasich trailed in last place, according to Portland-based Hoffman Research Group. Despite the long odds, Kasich said polls show he'd beat Hillary Clinton in a general election. He told the crowd many voters don't know who he is because he's kept his campaign positive. Although Kasich didn't name Trump, he drew a contrast. "I haven't chosen to make a spectacle of myself," Kasich said. "My voice is up here in the positive." The rally drew a mix of Kasich supporters, undecided Republicans and others who just wanted to see a political figure up close. Ron and Deborah Reed of Central Point came as Kasich supporters, particularly Ron, who has supported Kasich from the beginning of the Republican race. "I think what we need in a president is someone who sees all sides," Ron Reed said. Jason Carlson of Phoenix described himself as a Bernie Sanders supporter, but he came to the rally just to see someone in national headlines in person. "It's pretty intimate," Carlson said. "You'll actually see him." Kaia Tway lived in Ohio before moving to Rogue River. Her family still lives in Ohio, and she identified herself as a strong Kasich supporter. Tway said Kasich is about action more than rhetoric. "He's gotten things done," Tway said. "We saw him turn it all around." Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. The Associated Press contributed to this report By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Apr. 28, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 28, 2016 at 9:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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