The two airplanes purchased by the state of Ohio to transport Gov. John Kasich and other top state officials to events have mostly sat idle since Kasich began running for president in July, reports the Dayton Daily News.

The state spent $9.7 million for a seven-passenger 2013 Beechcraft King Air 250 and a nine-passenger 2015 Beechcraft King Air 350i. The Ohio Department of Transportation traded in its two King Air passenger jets from 1973 and 1982.

Since his presidential announcement, Kasich has used the planes three times. He uses private aircraft on the campaign trail.

"These planes were not bought for the governor. There are a variety of people who can and do use the aircraft," said Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation, which operates the fleet. The governor "gets first dibs. He is the chief executive of the state."

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