Michael R. Pence

Michael R. Pence
Name	Michael R. Pence
Order	48th
Office	Vice President of the United States
President	Donald Trump
Term start	January 20, 2017
Term end	January 20, 2021
Predecessor	Joe Biden
Successor	Kamala Harris
Order2	50th
Office2	Governor of Indiana
Term start2	January 14, 2013
Term end2	January 9, 2017
Lieutenant2	Sue Ellspermann, Eric Holcomb
Predecessor2	Mitch Daniels
Successor2	Eric Holcomb
State3	Indiana
District3	6th
Term start3	January 3, 2003
Term end3	January 3, 2013
Predecessor3	Dan Burton
Successor3	Luke Messer
Party	Republican (1983–present)
Otherparty	Democratic (before 1983)
Spouse	Karen Batten, 1985
Education	Hanover College (BA), Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (JD)

Michael R. Pence is an American politician, attorney, and broadcaster who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 and represented Indiana's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. Known for his staunch conservative views, particularly on social issues, his tenure as vice president was defined by loyalty to the Trump administration and a pivotal role during the January 6 Capitol attack.

Early life and education

Michael Richard Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana, to Nancy Jane and Edward J. Pence Jr., who ran a chain of gas stations. He was raised in a Irish Catholic family with Democratic political leanings and attended Columbus North High School. Pence earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Hanover College in 1981, where he was influenced by the writings of Ronald Reagan and converted to the Republican Party. He subsequently received a Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 1986, passing the Indiana bar examination and practicing law in the state.

Early political career

After two unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House in 1988 and 1990, Pence turned to media, hosting The Mike Pence Show, a syndicated conservative talk radio program, and a weekly political commentary television show on the Indianapolis station WNDY-TV. He served as president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, a conservative think tank. In 2000, he was elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and his commentary often appeared in publications like the Indianapolis Star. He successfully ran for the U.S. House in 2002, representing Indiana's 6th congressional district.

Governor of Indiana

Elected governor of Indiana in 2012, Pence signed one of the largest state tax cuts in Indiana history and oversaw sustained budget surpluses. His tenure was marked by significant controversy, most notably the 2015 passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which drew national criticism from businesses like Apple Inc. and NCAA, leading to a legislative revision. He also expanded the state's school voucher program, implemented stringent abortion regulations, and declined to establish a state-run health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act.

Vice presidency

Selected by presidential nominee Donald Trump as his running mate in July 2016, Pence was elected vice president of the United States as part of the Trump–Pence ticket. As vice president, he chaired the White House Coronavirus Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic and the National Space Council. He cast several tie-breaking votes in the U.S. Senate, including one to advance the confirmation of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. His most defining moment came on January 6, 2021, when he presided over the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 presidential election results for Joe Biden, refusing Trump's demands to reject the electoral votes, a decision praised by figures like Liz Cheney and condemned by many in the Make America Great Again movement.

Post-vice presidency

After leaving office, Pence founded the political advocacy group Advancing American Freedom. He launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, positioning himself as a champion of the Trump administration's record while offering a more traditional conservative style. He suspended his campaign in October 2023 after struggling to gain traction against Trump and other rivals like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. He has since engaged in public speaking, joined think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, and published writings on conservative governance.

Political positions

Pence is a self-described "Christian, conservative, and Republican, in that order," with a long record of support for socially conservative policies. He opposes abortion rights, including supporting the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and has advocated for restrictions on LGBTQ rights, such as opposing the Equality Act and same-sex marriage. On economic policy, he supports supply-side economics, broad-based tax cuts, and deregulation. In foreign policy, he is a staunch supporter of Israel, took a hardline stance against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and has been critical of the People's Republic of China.

Personal life

Pence married schoolteacher Karen Batten in 1985; they have three children: Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey. The family are devout evangelical Christians, attending an Evangelical Presbyterian church in Northern Virginia. Karen Pence, a former art teacher, was an active Second Lady, championing art therapy and military families. Pence is known for his adherence to the "Billy Graham rule" regarding interactions with women other than his wife. His memoir, So Help Me God, was published in 2022.

Category:American politicians Category:Vice presidents of the United States Category:Governors of Indiana politicians