STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Gov. Kasich to give annual speech in Medina

Ohio Gov. John Kasich gives his State of the State Address at the Veteran's Memorial Civic & Convention Center in Lima, Ohio, in February, 2013.

COLUMBUS — For the third year in a row, Gov. John Kasich will take his State of the State Address on the road, this time to the city of Medina in northeast Ohio.

Last year the governor delivered his annual report card in downtown Lima. In 2012, it was held in a Steubenville high school. Only once has he delivered the address in the traditional setting of the Ohio House of Representatives chamber at the Statehouse.

“Medina is one of Ohio’s great communities, and this is a great way to celebrate it,” Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said. “Medina is also the hometown of Speaker (Bill) Batchelder as he starts the last year of his term of his term. This is a way to recognize his distinguished 46-year career in public office.”

The speech will put the Republican governor practically in the backyard of Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, who is vying for his job in this year’s election.

The governor has asked the General Assembly to again pass a resolution approving the change in location. The speech will be held on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.at the Medina Performing Arts Center.

Politically, it should be friendly territory for Mr. Kasich. Medina County went decisively for Republican Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama in 2012, and both House seats and the Senate seat representing the county are all held by Republicans.