Kasich to make statement, fueling speculation he will drop race

Ohio Governor John Kasich, the last Republican candidate standing against presumptive nominee Donald Trump, has canceled a planned rally in Virginia and will give a statement later today from Columbus, Ohio, CNN reports.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, his plane never left Ohio for Dulles airport outside Washington, DC as planned and his campaign later put out a statement reading: “Today’s press gaggle in Dulles has been cancelled. Gov. Kasich will deliver a statement in Columbus at 5:00PM EDT today — location TBD.”

Speculation around the announcement has centered on Kasich possibly announcing he will drop out of the race, clinching Trump’s path to the GOP nomination.

NOTE: You have five hours left to make Kasich jokes. Use them wisely.

— Ryan Teague Beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) May 4, 2016

Kasich has remained in the race despite drawing little support outside of his home state. On Tuesday night, second place Ted Cruz suspended his campaign after fairing poorly in Indiana, despite Kasich agreeing to not campaign in the state to give him a better chance.

Kasich trails Trump by nearly 900 delegates.

Earlier in the day, Kasich’s campaign posted on Facebook that the Indiana results “are not going to alter Gov. Kasich’s campaign plans.”

“Our strategy has been and continues to be one that involves winning the nomination at an open convention. The comments from Trump, on the verge of winning in Indiana, heighten the differences between Governor Kasich and his positive, inclusive approach and the disrespectful ramblings from Donald Trump,” the statement added

Kasich pledged to stay in the race, with his campaign manager saying the governor would continue to “offer the voters a clear choice for our country.”