Republican John Kasich is a brash, hard-charging and ambitious politico who set his sights on winning the most powerful political office in the world.

Here's what you need to know about Kasich.

  • He's from McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh
  • 1970 - attended Ohio State University
  • 1975 - worked as researcher for Ohio Legislative Service Commission and married Mary Griffith.
  • 1978  - ran for Ohio Senate, won, beating the incumbent, and was, at the time, was the youngest Ohioan elected to the state senate. He was 26.
  • 1980 - Kasich and Griffith divorced
  • 1982 - ran for Congress, beating the incumbent. He stayed in the office for 18 years.
  • 1997 - married Karen Kasich.
  • 1999 - ran for President, but ended campaign five months after his candidacy announcement.
  • 2000 - twin daughters, Emma and Reese, were born.
  • Decided against running for re-election to the House of Representatives after 18 years in office.
  • Went to work for Lehman Brothers, wrote books, hosted a FoxNews talk show
  • 2002 - 2009  - served as OSU presidential fellow, giving lectures and serving as a panelist at forums.
  • 2009 - ran for and won Ohio governor's race, beating incumbent Ted Strickland by 77,127 votes in the most expensive governor's race in state history.
  • 2014 - ran and won re-election, beating his opponent 64-33 percent.
  • July 21, 2015 - announced candidacy for president.