Ohio Gov. John Kasich will mingle with New York elites at a dinner in Manhattan on March 25, organizers tell CNN.
The dinner at the swanky Four Seasons restaurant will be funded by supermarket tycoon and former New York City mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, and co-hosted by CNBC host Larry Kudlow and other economists that formed the group Committee to Unleash American Prosperity.
Kasich is speculated as a potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate, and his recent and upcoming travels, including his visit to New York City later this month, signal that he’s weighing his options and putting out feelers to potential donors.
The Committee to Unleash American Prosperity has organized events for at least two other potential White House candidates in recent months, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani touched off a firestorm at the dinner featuring Walker when he delivered remarks questioning President Barack Obama’s love for America.
Though attended by some of New York’s elite, these gatherings are not fundraisers. Organizers have instead described them as opportunities to discuss policy with potential 2016 candidates, with a particular focus on economic policy.
“We’re trying to get free market supply-side economic ideas on the table and inside their heads,” Kudlow recently told CNN.
A Kasich spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Organizers said they are in the process of nailing down a date to host former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Kudlow said he was approached by Kasich, Bush as well as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz about about wanting to attend the dinner, previously held at the 21 Club.
“All the candidates seem to want to come to our dinners, which is great. That’s what we’d hoped,” he said.