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Mike Pence

Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician who was the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under Donald Trump. Before becoming vice president, he served as the 50th governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017.

Mike Pence
Official White House portrait. Pence is smiling in front of an American flag. He wears a black suit, red tie, and an American flag lapel pin.
Official portrait, 2017
48th Vice President of the United States
In office
January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byJoe Biden
Succeeded byKamala Harris
50th Governor of Indiana
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2017
Lieutenant
Preceded byMitch Daniels
Succeeded byEric Holcomb
Chair of the House Republican Conference
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011
LeaderJohn Boehner
Preceded byAdam Putnam
Succeeded byJeb Hensarling
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byDavid M. McIntosh
Succeeded byLuke Messer
Constituency
Personal details
Born
Michael Richard Pence

(1959-06-07) June 7, 1959 (age 65)
Columbus, Indiana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Karen Pence (m. 1985)
Children3
RelativesGreg Pence
ResidenceCarmel, Indiana, U.S.
Education
Profession
  • politician
  • lawyer
  • broadcaster
Signature
WebsiteOfficial website
Mike Pence's voice

Pence on being appointed chair of the White House Coronavirus Task Force
Recorded February 27, 2020
Problems listening to this file? See media help.
Other offices

Pence was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. He also chaired the House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011. Pence is a longtime supporter of the Tea Party movement. He is a Republican.[1][2]

On July 14, 2016, Donald J. Trump's campaign said that Pence would be Trump's choice for running mate in the 2016 presidential election.[3] The Trump-Pence campaign went on to defeat the Clinton-Kaine campaign in the general election on November 8, 2016. Pence was inaugurated as vice president of the United States on January 20, 2017.

On November 7, 2020 the Trump-Pence campaign lost their re-election bid to former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris following the 2020 election. After the election Trump falsely claimed the election was corrupt and wanted Pence to overturn the election results. Pence did not do this and voted to certify Biden as the winner on January 6, 2021 in the aftermath of the United States Capitol attack.

In June 2023, Pence announced his campaign for president in the 2024 election. However, after low polling numbers, Pence ended his campaign on October 28, 2023.[4]

Early life and education

Pence was born at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Indiana,[5] He was one of six children of Nancy Jane (née Cawley) and Edward J. Pence, Jr.[6][7] His family were Irish Catholic Democrats.[8]

Pence graduated from Columbus North High School in 1977. He earned a B.A. in History from Hanover College in 1981 and a J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1986.

After graduating from law school in 1986, Pence worked as an attorney in private practice.[9] He continued to practice law following his second unsuccessful run for Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives, 2001–2013

In November 2000, Pence was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana's 2nd Congressional District after six-year incumbent David M. McIntosh (1995–2001) opted to run for governor of Indiana.

 
Pence as a representative, 2009

On November 8, 2006, Pence announced his candidacy for leader of the Republican Party (minority leader) in the United States House of Representatives.[10] Pence's release announcing his run for minority leader focused on a "return to the values" of the 1994 Republican Revolution.[11] On November 17, Pence lost to Representative John Boehner of Ohio by a vote of 168–27–1 (the one vote went to Representative Joe Barton of Texas).[12]

Pence served for a time as the chairman of the Republican Study Committee. His Committee assignments in the U.S. House included: Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia (Vice Chair); Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution (Vice Chair), and Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet.

While in Congress, Pence belonged to the Tea Party Caucus.[13] Pence also belonged to the Congressional Internet Caucus, International Conservation Caucus, and Sportsmen's Caucus.

After the November 2010 election, Pence announced that he would not run for re-election as the Republican Conference Chairman.[14] On May 5, 2011, Pence announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Indiana in 2012.[15][16]

Governor of Indiana, 2013–2017

On November 6, 2012, Pence won the gubernatorial election,[17] defeating Democratic nominee John R. Gregg and Libertarian nominee Rupert Boneham.

 
Governor Mike Pence speaking at the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland on February 27, 2015

Pence became the 50th Governor of Indiana on January 14, 2013.

Pence made tax reform, namely a 10% income-tax rate cut, a priority for 2013.[18]

On March 26, 2015, Pence signed Indiana Senate Bill 101, also known as the Indiana "religious objections" bill (RFRA), into law.[19] The law's signing was met with widespread criticism by people and groups who felt the law was carefully worded in a way that would permit discrimination against LGBT persons.[20][21]

As of March 2016, Pence has attempted unsuccessfully to prevent Syrian refugees from being resettled in Indiana.[22]

Pence is running for a second term as governor. He was unopposed in the May 3, 2016, Republican primary for governor. He faces Democrat John Gregg, former Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, in a rematch of the 2012 race. Early reports on July 14 suggest Pence is likely to be announced as the VP candidate on July 15.[23]

2016 vice presidential nomination

Main page: 2016 United States presidential election
Main page: Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016

In July 2016, Trump said that there was three people on his running mate shortlist: Chris Christie, Newt Gingrich and Pence himself. On July 14, 2016, it was reported that Trump selected Pence as his running mate.[24] On July 15, 2016, Trump announced on his Twitter that Pence would be his running mate. He made a formal announcement in New York City on July 16, 2016.

Trump would go on to defeat Clinton in the general election making Pence the vice president-elect of the United States.

Vice President, 2017–2021

Pence was inaugurated as the 48th vice president of the United States after being sworn in by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas on January 20, 2017.

On January 27, 2017, Pence spoke at the March for Life in Washington D.C., becoming the first vice president and the highest ranking United States official to ever speak at the annual event.[25][26]

Following the Trump-supporter storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 many politicians and lawyers wanted Pence to use the 25th amendment of the United States Constitution to remove Trump from office.[27]

Despite Trump's wanting to overturn the election results, Pence, as President of the Senate certified the Biden–Harris ticket as the winner of the election. He was criticized by Trump and threatened with violence by some of Trump's supporters, especially during the U.S. Capitol attack, for not trying to overturn the election results.

Pence's term as vice president ended on January 20, 2021. He was replaced by Kamala Harris as vice president.[28]

2024 presidential campaign

Main page: Mike Pence 2024 presidential campaign

Since leaving office, Pence was speculated that he would run for president because of his criticisms of former President Donald J. Trump, especially over his handling of the Capitol riots.[29] In June 2023, Pence filed paperwork to run for President of the United States in the 2024 election.[30] Pence ended his campaign on October 28, 2023 after low polling numbers.[31]

On March 15, 2024, Pence announced that he would not support Trump, nor would he support Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election.[32][33]

Personal life

Pence and his wife Karen Pence have been married since 1985. They have three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey. Pence is a born-again Christian. His brother, Greg, is the member of the United States House of Representatives.

In May 2021, the Pences bought a home north of Indianapolis.[34]

In April 2021, Pence had heart surgery to have a pacemaker implanted to help stop his slow heart rate.[35]

Mike Pence Media

  • Pence in Columbus North High School's 1977 yearbook

  • Pence with President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1988

  • Pence as a U.S. Representativeduring the 111th Congress

  • Congressman Pence visits U.S. soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, in 2006.

  • Pence was sworn in as the 50th governor of Indiana on January 14, 2013.

  • Governor Pence addresses Indiana State Military at the Indiana War memorial on Veterans Day, 2014.

  • Governor Pence at the dedication of a new veterans' clinic, March 2016

  • Pence addresses supporters at a church service, September 2016

  • Pence at the 500 Festival Parade in Indianapolis, 2015

  • Pence speaks at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, August 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Amber Phillips, 10 things you should know about Mike Pence, Donald J. Trump’s likely running mate, Washington Post (July 14, 2016).
  2. ↑ Michael Muskal, Mike Pence to run for Indiana governor: Republicans had expected Rep. Mike Pence, a 'tea party' favorite, to join the state race to succeed Gov. Mitch Daniels, who may make a run for the GOP presidential nomination, Los Angeles Times (May 5, 2011).
  3. ↑ "Donald Trump's Campaign Signals He Will Pick Mike Pence as Running Mate". The New York Times. July 14, 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/15/us/politics/mike-pence-donald-trump-vice-president.html?_r=0. 
  4. ↑ Colvin, Jill (October 28, 2023). "Pence quits the presidential race after struggling to gain traction. 'This is not my time,' he says". Associated Press. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ Reports, Staff. "The Mike Pence timeline: Path from Columbus to the White House". The Republic. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  6. ↑ "Wedding Bells Ring Out For 3 S. Side Couples". Chicago Daily Tribune. April 5, 1956. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/515013912.html?dids=515013912:515013912&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+05%2C+1956&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=WEDDING+BELLS+RING+OUT+FOR+3+S.+SIDE+COUPLES&pqatl=google. [dead link]
  7. ↑ http://www.indystar.com/relart/20121006/NEWS05/210060343
  8. ↑ Burton, Danielle (November 15, 2006).What You Didn't Know About Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, U.S. News & World Report accessed March 31, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Your Local Officials: Indiana Governor Mike Pence". National Retail Federation.
  10. ↑ "U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana". Archived from the original on 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2016-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "U.S. Congressman Mike Pence : 6th District Of Indiana". Archived from the original on 2006-12-27. Retrieved 2016-07-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. ↑ "Boehner elected as Republican leader: Succeeds Hastert in top GOP role in Democratic-controlled House" Archived 2012-10-20 at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press, November 17, 2006
  13. ↑ Janie Lorber, Tea Party Caucus Tackles Racism Charge (July 21, 2010).
  14. ↑ Letter of Resignation from House Republican Caucus. http://www.indystar.com/assets/pdf/BG166390113.PDF. Retrieved November 3, 2010. 
  15. ↑ Camia, Catalina (January 27, 2011). Rep. Pence to skip GOP race for president. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/01/mike-pence-indiana-governor-president-/1. Retrieved August 18, 2011. 
  16. ↑ Muskal, Michael (May 5, 2011). Mike Pence to run for Indiana governor. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-pence-governor-20110506,0,3385004.story. Retrieved May 5, 2011. 
  17. ↑ Pence in as governor of Indiana; Hassan wins N.H.. nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com. November 6, 2012. http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/06/14973266-pence-in-as-governor-of-indiana-hassan-wins-nh?lite. Retrieved December 17, 2012. 
  18. ↑ Rucker, Philip (December 12, 2014) – "Mike Pence Lays Out Vision for a Presidential Campaign. But Will He Be a Candidate?". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Indiana Gov. Pence defends religious objections law: 'This bill is not about discrimination' – The Chicago Tribune – 26 March 2015". Chicago Tribune.
  20. ↑ Thousands march in Indiana to protest law seen targeting gays. Reuters. March 29, 2015. https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/29/us-usa-religion-indiana-idUSKBN0MO0RF20150329. Retrieved August 31, 2017. 
  21. ↑ "These Religious Groups Want Nothing To Do With Indiana's New Law". The Huffington Post. April 4, 2015. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/religious-groups-protest-rfra_n_6986002.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics. 
  22. ↑ Exodus, continued: Indiana's governor is losing his fight to keep Syrian refugees away: Most other governors seem to have quietly dropped the matter. March 14, 2016. https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21694832-most-other-governors-seem-have-quietly-dropped-matter-indianas-governor-losing. Retrieved March 15, 2016. 
  23. ↑ Murphy, Patricia (July 14, 2016). Trump to Pick Mike Pence, Says Source Archived 2016-07-15 at the Wayback Machine, Roll Call
  24. ↑ James Briggs and Tony Cook (July 14, 2016). "Pence is Trump's VP pick". The Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/14/report-pence-trumps-vp-pick/87075866/. 
  25. ↑ Gaudiano, Nicole (January 27, 2017). "At Anti-Abortion Rally, Mike Pence is a Beacon of Hope". USA Today. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  26. ↑ Fredericks, Bob (January 27, 2017). Mike Pence Makes History by Rallying with Pro-Life Marchers. https://nypost.com/2017/01/27/mike-pence-will-make-history-by-rallying-with-pro-life-marchers/. Retrieved January 27, 2017. 
  27. ↑ Acosta, Jim; Brown, Pamela (10 January 2021). "Pence has not ruled out 25th Amendment, source says". CNN. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  28. ↑ Gold, Michael (2021-01-20). "Harris escorted Pence to his motorcade, a symbol of a peaceful transfer of power." (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 . https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/kamala-harris-mike-pence-inauguration.html. Retrieved 2022-11-30. 
  29. ↑ Miller, Zeke; Megerian, Chris (2023-03-13) (in en). Pence says Trump 'endangered my family' on Jan. 6. https://apnews.com/article/pence-trump-january-6-capitol-riot-carlson-1e38cb44d55737031ca528b4f33aa1fb. Retrieved 2023-03-13. 
  30. ↑ Kevin Breuninger (June 5, 2023). "Mike Pence files paperwork to launch 2024 Republican presidential campaign". CNBC.
  31. ↑ Colvin, Jill (October 28, 2023). "Pence quits the presidential race after struggling to gain traction. 'This is not my time,' he says". Associated Press. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  32. ↑ Svitek, Patrick; LeVine, Marianne (March 15, 2024). Mike Pence says he will not endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024. ISSN 0190-8286 . https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/15/pence-trump-no-endorsement-2024/. Retrieved March 22, 2024. 
  33. ↑ Wilkie, Christina (March 15, 2024). "Former Vice President Mike Pence will not endorse Trump in 2024". CNBC. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Mike and Karen Pence Purchase New Home Near Indianapolis: 'Good to Be Back'". People. May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Pence underwent successful surgery to have a pacemaker implanted". CNN. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.

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