Kasich Opposes Trump, Backs Citizenship for Illegals: They Are 'God-Fearing'

Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday landed the endorsement of fellow governor Robert Bentley of Alabama, as the presidential hopeful seeks to build support for his White House bid and courts voters in the South.

Later in the day, Kasich became the third candidate to file for South Carolina's 2016 Republican primary, the first contest in the South on Feb. 20, and reiterated his difference with GOP front-runner Donald Trump on illegal immigration.

During a visit to South Carolina Republican Party headquarters in Columbia, Kasich said, he, like Trump, wants to finish construction of a wall between the United States and Mexico.

"Anyone who comes in illegally will have to be sent back," Kasich said.

Unlike Trump, Kasich has called for a path to legal citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants now in the country. Most are, "God-fearing, good hard-working people, and they’re part of our country now," Kasich said, repeating assertions he made in New Hampshire last week.

"I don’t think we need to be engaged in trying to figure out how to load them on buses and ship them to the border because I don't think it’s even practical or the right thing to do," Kasich said, The State reported.

At the endorsement, announced Monday at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Bentley said Kasich has the executive level experience and background necessary to lead.

"I have watched him over the years and I chose him because of his heart," Bentley said, adding that he believes the two have similar approaches toward governing.

Kasich said Bentley has made Alabama's state government more efficient and isn't afraid to lead. Alabama faces a $200 million general fund budget shortfall that lawmakers will again face during a second special session.

Bentley is the first Deep South governor to endorse Kasich, who is generally viewed as being among the more moderate Republican contenders. Kasich said he didn't spend time during his term as governor building broader name recognition and that he thinks an endorsement from Bentley — a past supporter of and delegate for Mike Huckabee — will go a long way.

"It sends a signal in the South," Kasich said before pledging to return to Alabama. "It makes a big difference. Think of us as the engine that could."

The two traded autographed footballs after speaking.

Kasich entered the race less than a month ago. But he's building momentum off a strong showing at the first GOP presidential debate in Cleveland and has been upping his profile in early voting South Carolina, with more than half a dozen stops in recent months.