By Kate Scanlon | OSV News
Former Vice President Mike Pence launched a campaign June 7 for president in a Republican primary that also includes his former running mate, Donald Trump, who is seeking a second term in the White House.
Pence’s campaign comes two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot and its aftermath brought tension to the relationship between Trump and Pence.
After Trump refused to concede his 2020 election loss to Joe Biden, he attempted to pressure Pence to unilaterally declare him the victor when Congress met to certify the election results, which Pence declined to do, citing his lack of constitutional authority to make such a move.
Trump later tweeted that Pence “didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done,” a move investigators later said made him a target for rioters who chanted “hang Mike Pence.” Investigators also later revealed documentation showing rioters got within 40 feet of Pence during the attack. Pence was ultimately taken to a secure location in the Capitol complex, where he called for the National Guard to clear the Capitol after Trump’s inaction. Lawmakers were able to certify the results after a delay of several hours due to the riot.
In his video announcement highlighting his work as vice president but making no mention of Trump by name, Pence cast himself as a Reagan-style Republican seeking to return the party to its previous conservative principles, arguing it is time for “different leadership.”
“Today our party and our country need a leader that will appeal, as Lincoln said, to the better angels of our nature,” Pence said. “My family and I have been blessed beyond measure with opportunities to serve this nation, and it would be easy to stay on the sidelines. But that’s not how I was raised. That’s why today, before God and my family, I am announcing I am running for president of the United States.”
Pence made the announcement on his 64th birthday.
Pence’s presidential bid represents his most direct challenge to Trump since he resisted his efforts to overturn the election. Prior to the riot, Pence had a reputation for his dutiful service in the role of vice president to Trump and his agenda. Prior to the vice presidency, Pence had served as governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, and as an Indiana congressman from 2001 to 2013.
Pence was raised Catholic but is now an evangelical Christian. In his announcement video, he said, “God is not done with America yet.”
Trump selected Pence as his running mate in 2016 in what was seen as a bid to win over evangelicals who were skeptical about Trump’s personal reputation or his position on abortion, as he had no prior record in public office and made a series of controversial statements on the issue.
Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, have three adult children.
Despite his term as second-in-command, Pence’s bid is seen as a longshot in a field polls show as currently lead by Trump. Other contenders for the Republican nomination include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
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Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on Twitter @kgscanlon.