Mike Pence

Mike Pence
Name	Michael Richard Pence
Caption	Official portrait
Birth date	June 7, 1959
Birth place	Columbus, Indiana
Party	Republican Party
Spouse	Karen Pence
Alma mater	DePauw University; Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Offices	Vice President of the United States (2017–2021); Governor of Indiana (2013–2017); U.S. Representative (2001–2013)

Mike Pence

Michael Richard Pence is an American politician, attorney, and former radio host who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States under Donald Trump from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the Governor of Indiana and as a U.S. Representative from Indiana. Pence is known for his conservative positions on social and economic issues, his ties to the conservative movement, and his role in the 2016 and 2020 presidential cycles.

Early life and education

Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana and raised in Braintree, Indiana; he is the son of business owner Edward Pence and homemaker Nancy. He attended Columbus North High School before matriculating at DePauw University, where he majored in history and was active in student government and campus radio. After graduating, he attended the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, earning a Juris Doctor and becoming a member of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Early legal and political career

After law school, Pence worked as an attorney in private practice and served as a conservative talk radio host on stations such as WIFE and WIBC. He ran for United States Senate in 1988 for the 1988 Senate race but lost in the Republican primary election. Pence later served as the chairman of the Republican Party of Indiana and campaigned for candidates including George W. Bush during the 2000 election. He developed relationships with figures in the Christian Right, Family Research Council, and Moral Majority-aligned networks, shaping his ties to evangelical Christianity and social conservative organizations.

U.S. House of Representatives

Pence was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2000, representing Indiana's 2nd district and later the 6th district after redistricting. In Congress he served on committees including the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and was associated with caucuses such as the Republican Study Committee and the Tea Party movement. Pence authored legislation on issues including tax policy, regulatory reform, and health care and opposed the Affordable Care Act. He aligned with national figures like Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, and later critics of the ACA such as Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, shaping his conservative legislative record through the 2000s and early 2010s.

Governor of Indiana

In 2012 Pence was elected Governor of Indiana, defeating John R. Gregg in the 2012 Indiana gubernatorial election. As governor he signed the Indiana RFRA and later faced national controversy and calls for revision from figures including Barack Obama and business leaders such as Eli Lilly and Company executives. His administration focused on issues such as economic development initiatives with entities like the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, tax policy changes, and reforms to education and infrastructure projects that involved partnerships with companies headquartered in Indianapolis and elsewhere in Indiana. Pence appointed members to state boards, interacted with the Indiana General Assembly, and navigated debates with labor organizations and corporate stakeholders.

2016 vice presidential campaign and tenure

In July 2016 Donald Trump selected Pence as his running mate for the 2016 United States presidential election. Pence brought to the ticket experience in executive office and ties to conservative constituencies including evangelical Christians, Protestant denominations and fiscal conservatives aligned with figures such as Paul Ryan and Ted Cruz. As Vice President of the United States, Pence chaired the National Space Council and served as head of the White House Coronavirus Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic. He presided over the United States Senate during joint sessions including the certification of the 2020 election results, an event that coincided with the 2021 United States Capitol attack and subsequent congressional count on January 6, 2021.

Post-vice presidency and 2024 presidential campaign

After leaving office in January 2021, Pence returned to private life, engaging with organizations such as Heritage Foundation-adjacent networks, delivering speeches at venues like CPAC and producing memoirs and public commentary connected with conservative media outlets including Fox News. In June 2023 he launched a campaign for the 2024 United States presidential election, entering a Republican primary field that included Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Mike Johnson, Vivek Ramaswamy, and others. His 2024 bid emphasized executive experience from the White House and governorship, appealing to constituencies in early nominating states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina while engaging with party infrastructure actors like Republican National Committee officials and various state party chairs.

Political positions and public image

Pence is identified with social conservatism on issues like abortion, where he has supported restrictions similar to statutes advanced in states such as Indiana and aligned with advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood opponents and March for Life organizers. On economic policy he has favored tax cuts and deregulation consistent with supply-side economics champions, cooperating with lawmakers such as Paul Ryan and senators like Mitch McConnell. On foreign policy he has supported strengthening alliances with NATO members, backing policy stances associated with Israel and partners in the Middle East, and engaging with debates over relations with China and Russia. Pence's public image blends the profile of a loyal party operative, evangelical public servant, and institutional conservative framed by interactions with media outlets such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and broadcasts on CBS News and NBC News.

Category:Vice Presidents of the United States Category:Governors of Indiana Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana