Kasich on Friday said he can't imagine why political adversaries would try to oust a talent like Kvamme from his job as development director.
Kasich picked the Silicon Valley venture capitalist to lead his effort to transfer state job creation functions from the Department of Development to a new nonprofit entity. Kvamme is being paid $1.
An Ohio Legislative Service Commission memo says a 1992 attorney general's opinion, the state Constitution and court precedent indicate Cabinet directors must be Ohio residents when appointed.
Republican state Sen. Keith Faber said Kvamme's appointment is legal.