Vice President Mike Pence

Vice President Mike Pence
Name	Mike Pence
Birth date	June 7, 1959
Birth place	Columbus, Indiana
Alma mater	Hanover College, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Occupation	Politician, lawyer, radio host
Party	Republican Party
Office	48th Vice President of the United States
Term start	January 20, 2017
Term end	January 20, 2021
Predecessor	Joe Biden
Successor	Kamala Harris
Spouse	Karen Pence

Vice President Mike Pence Michael Richard Pence is an American politician, lawyer, and conservative activist 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 represented Indiana's 2nd and 6th congressional districts in the United States House of Representatives and served as the 50th Governor of Indiana. Pence is known for his evangelical Christian beliefs, social conservative policy stances, and role in national debates over healthcare, taxation, and religious liberty.

Early life and education

Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, the son of Nancy and Edward Pence, and raised in Batesville, Indiana and Marion, Indiana. He attended DePauw University for part of his undergraduate studies before graduating from Hanover College with a degree in political science and later earned a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. During his student years he was active in Young Americans for Freedom, engaged with the Republican Party's state networks, and contributed to conservative publications influenced by thinkers associated with Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley Jr., and the broader conservative movement.

Early political career and House of Representatives

Pence began his public career in media as a conservative radio talk show host in Indianapolis, where he discussed national figures such as Ronald Reagan, Pat Buchanan, Newt Gingrich, Jerry Falwell, and issues debated in the Reagan Revolution. He ran for the United States House of Representatives in 1988 and 1990, losing both races to incumbents linked to the Democratic Party. He won election to represent Indiana's 2nd congressional district in 2000, joining a Republican freshman class that included colleagues like John Boehner, Dan Burton, Mike Sodrel, and later worked alongside committee chairs such as Tom DeLay and James Sensenbrenner. In Congress Pence championed tax cuts associated with proposals from Newt Gingrich-era Republicans, advocated for the repeal of President Bill Clinton-era regulations, and opposed the Affordable Care Act championed by Barack Obama. His legislative record intersected with debates led by figures such as Mitch McConnell and John McCain.

Governor of Indiana

Pence was elected Governor of Indiana in 2012, succeeding Mitch Daniels and serving with lieutenant governor Eric Holcomb. As governor he promoted state tax policies inspired by Grover Norquist-aligned tax advocacy, signed education reforms influenced by Betsy DeVos-era proposals, and advanced economic development partnerships with entities such as the Eli Lilly and Company and Cummins Inc. During his tenure he faced national attention over the 2015 enactment of a religious freedom statute debated alongside advocacy from groups like Alliance Defending Freedom and criticized by civil rights organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union. He also managed state responses to federal initiatives under Presidents Barack Obama and laterworked with federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services on Medicaid matters.

2016 presidential campaign and selection as vice presidential nominee

Pence sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, joining a crowded field that included Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, and Jeb Bush. After suspending his campaign, he endorsed Donald Trump and was subsequently selected as Trump's vice presidential running mate at the 2016 Republican National Convention. The Trump–Pence ticket defeated the Democratic ticket of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine in the Electoral College, though they lost the popular vote. Pence's selection aimed to balance the ticket by appealing to evangelical voters who had supported candidates like Ted Cruz and Ben Carson.

Vice Presidency (2017–2021)

As vice president, Pence chaired the White House Coronavirus Task Force during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating with officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Anthony Fauci, and the Department of Health and Human Services. He presided over the United States Senate and cast tie-breaking votes on appointments and policy matters during the Trump administration, interfacing with leaders such as Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Paul Ryan, and Nancy Pelosi. Pence represented the administration in diplomatic engagements with heads of state including Shinzo Abe, Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Boris Johnson, and attended summits like the G7 and NATO summit. Following the 2020 election, Pence's role in certifying the Electoral College results on January 6, 2021, became a focal point amid pressure from allies of Donald Trump and incidents at the United States Capitol.

Post-vice presidency, legal issues, and political activities

After leaving office, Pence launched public speaking tours and authored books that discuss his tenure and policy views, engaging with audiences at institutions such as Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, and events featuring figures like Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham. He has remained active in Republican politics, interacting with leaders including Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Braun, and participating in conservative forums with organizers linked to CPAC and Turning Point USA. Pence has faced legal scrutiny and subpoenas connected to congressional investigations led by the January 6 Committee and has been involved in litigation over documents and communications, intersecting with processes involving the Department of Justice and state-level prosecutors.

Political positions and public image

Pence is widely identified with social conservative positions on issues such as abortion legislation advocated by groups like National Right to Life Committee and Susan B. Anthony List, religious liberty policies championed by Family Research Council, and school choice proposals associated with Betsy DeVos. On fiscal policy he has supported tax reform aligned with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and regulatory rollbacks favored by U.S. Chamber of Commerce allies. His public image is shaped by comparisons to predecessors such as Dick Cheney and other conservative governors, media figures like Rachel Maddow and Sean Hannity, and portrayals in popular culture and satire referencing events from the 2016 election through the 2020 transition.

Category:Living people Category:People from Columbus, Indiana Category:Vice Presidents of the United States