Cruz, Kasich Campaigns Make Rounds In Chicago Area
UPDATED: 4:59 p.m. 3/9/16
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two Republican presidential candidates were bringing their campaigns to the Chicago area on Wednesday, a day after Donald Trump won primaries in three more states.
Despite U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's win in Idaho on Tuesday, he still trails Donald Trump by nearly 100 delegates.
Tuesday morning, his wife, Heidi, was in Chicago to make the case for a man who she said has the mind and principles needed to win in Illinois, and become the next president of the United States.
She didn't take on frontrunner Donald Trump directly during her speech at a City Club of Chicago breakfast, but she made it clear she believes the real estate mogul isn't fit to be president.
"I think it is so important that we, as the American people … elect someone that reflects our values; in what they've done in their career; in how they speak; and how they speak of others;, and someone who, when our kids are sitting on the living room floor watching television, that we are proud to have them watch our president," she said.
The senator's father, Rev. Rafael Cruz, also was hosting campaign events in Bensenville and Dolton on Wednesday; and in Peoria, Springfield, and Collinsville on Thursday.
Meantime, Ohio Gov. John Kasich was hosting a rally in Lisle, and a town hall meeting in Palatine.
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports more people than expected crowded into the large atrium of Navistar's Lisle offices. Kasich told the audience he is going to keep running a positive campaign and looking for ways to compromise.
"I am going to do my level best to avoid, when elected, the political considerations and try to do the best thing to give everybody a shot at being able to rise," he said.
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Kasich discussed topics ranging from business and healthcare to social security.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports later in day in a Palatine gym, Kasich played up his experience in congress and governor of Ohio, as well as his working class roots.
"I can't levitate, I can't turn water into wine," he said. "I'm just a guy that comes from hard work and blue collar parents and all I try to do every day is to try to make things a little better for you."
He also gave a shout out to his embattled fellow governor, Bruce Rauner.
"Actually, the government in Ohio works," Kasich said. "I wish the legislature would come in and make Illinois work in Illinois and work with the governor."
Kasich finished third in Michigan, but believes he can turn things around by winning all 66 delegates in his home state of Ohio next week.
Trump won three of four Republican contests on Tuesday – including the primaries in Michigan and Mississippi, and the caucus in Hawaii. He has scheduled a rally for Friday evening at the UIC Pavilion.
On the Democratic side, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders pulled off a stunning upset in the Michigan primary, edging out former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who had held a wide lead in most polls before Tuesday's vote.
However, Clinton won an easy victory in Mississippi, and now has more than half the delegates she needs to win the Democratic nomination.
