Things To Know About Mike Pence
- by Leland Aguilar
- in Entertaiment
- — Jul 15, 2016
Trump and his most trusted advisers - his children - threw together a last-minute series of conversations in IN with other vice presidential finalists that included New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. His absence quickly intensified speculation about Trump's choice, especially since the other apparent top contenders in the running mate pool were slated to address the crowd gathered at the convention in Cleveland next week. Reports have said Trump could name Christie his USA attorney general or White House chief of staff.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) and Indiana Governor Mike Pence (L) wave to the crowd before addressing the crowd during a campaign stop at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield, Indiana, U.S. on July 12, 2016.
Pence introduced Trump at a stump speech outside of Indianapolis on Tuesday, where he attacked presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, calling her dishonest and untrustworthy.
Indiana State Auditor Suzanne Crouch also confirmed Pence's nomination.
A spokesman for Trump's campaign, Jason Miller, tweeted that the candidate has not formally made his pick.
Trump spent additional time with the IN governor after a mechanical issue with his plane grounded him IN the state Wednesday. (He likes describes himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.") This spring, Pence signed into law one of the strictest abortion laws in the nation. And Newt Gingrich, once seen as the frontrunner for Trump's VP, says he "would not be at all surprised" if Trump went with Pence.
The expected GOP nominee's reported decision came days after he traveled to IN to campaign with Pence IN what some have characterized as an "audition" for the role of vice president.
The Indiana governor, who was a member of the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013, is a staunch right-winger and a proud member of the Tea Party movement.
But all morning Thursday, there were signs that Pence had become Trump's top choice.
Although Corker added, "I don't know for real that this is it".
Trump, a newcomer who has ruffled too many feathers to count, could rely on Pence's seasoned experience as a politician.
Trump's decision comes after weeks of very public tryouts for potential running mates. Jeff Sessions and former Lieutenant General Mike Flynn. Pence, as a former congressional leader, also has ties to the Koch brothers and other influential donors who have so far stayed away from Trump.
Pence, who twice considered running for president, is well regarded by conservatives and evangelicals around the country, earning plaudits recently from the likes of Sen.
A former US attorney, Christie, 53, is widely seen as one of his party's most talented retail politicians and has proven himself a biting attack dog on the trail.
