Ohio Gov. John Kasich says the state has fully recovered the jobs lost during the national recession as of January鈥檚 unemployment report.

In a news conference Friday, the Republican governor highlighted the fact Ohio has now regained both the 350,000 jobs lost during the recession-era governorship of his predecessor and more than the 406,000 jobs lost during the entire recession.

Kasich, a potential 2016 presidential contender, said hitting the benchmark isn鈥檛 鈥渕ission accomplished鈥� but should make Ohioans feel good and send a message about Ohio鈥檚 successful financial stewardship to other states.

Ohio鈥檚 average wages remain below pre-recession levels but are rising faster than the national average.

Ohio鈥檚 jobless rate of 5.1 percent was below the nation鈥檚 rate of 5.7 percent for January and notably below last January鈥檚 6.5 percent.