Paul Bass Photo
Wharton, Kasich.
John Kasich may have long dropped out of the presidential race, but he will apparently receive at least one vote from New Haven — from New Haven’s leading Republican.
That Republican, GOP Town Chair Jonathan Wharton, said Wednesday that he has decided to write in Kasich when he votes in the Nov. 8 presidential election.
Wharton has said for months that he cannot support either Republican nominee Donald Trump, who he feels is taking the party backward, or Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom he characterized as scandal-tainted. Monday’s debate did not change his mind.
And although he “leans libertarian” with a “small l,” Wharton said he won’t be voting for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson. He spoke of how the party’s convention came off as a joke rather than serious politics: “I like my party.”
“I decided I’m going to write in, and I’m not the only one,” Wharton said during an appearance on WNHH radio’s “Dateline New Haven” program.
Kasich, Ohio’s governor, ran against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. Though conservative, he was viewed as the moderate in the primary race.
Kasich is not a registered candidate in the Nov. 8 election. That means any votes he receives form write-ins won’t be counted or reported.
Wharton said he knows that, and he doesn’t mind.
“It’s my personal stand, to say, ‘Let’s find another alternative the next time around.’ I’m a policy wonk. I’m not a personality guy. I like somebody who knows their data,” who knows policy.
So why not write in Jeb Bush, another unsuccessful GOP primary candidate known for his policy prowess?
“How many Bushes can you get in the White House?” Wharton responded.