Pence VP decision could scramble Indiana politics

Mike Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, said picking Pence makes sense considering he’s a social conservative who would balance Trump and who has fundraising prowess and 12 years of experience in Congress.

Looking to bolster his support among reluctant conservatives, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has added a name to his list of potential vice presidential running-mates: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Caputo, the former Trump adviser, said he thinks Pence already has indicated he would accept an invitation from Trump to run as the vice presidential nominee.

Bosma, an Indianapolis Republican who has been responsible for shepherding most of Daniels’ and Pence’s top achievements through the legislature, said he’s the best candidate to build on the economic progress made under those governors.

And Pence says he’s honored to be considered for the position. “Gov. Pence remains focused on his duties as governor of the state of IN and his re-election IN 2016”. And the Trump campaign has set an informal deadline for announcing his pick by next week – highlighted by the breakneck pace of meetings with potential running mates like Pence and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Still, a leader in the national conservative movement said Pence would be a “solidifying” choice for Republicans not yet sold on Trump.

Or will Hoosier Republicans be pleased Pence either declined or didn’t receive an offer, meaning the party won’t have to groom a new candidate with the election just over four months away?

In May, a Free Enterprise PAC poll of the state’s gubernatorial race found Pence losing to Democratic challenger John Gregg, 59 percent to 21 percent, among women under age 45.

A GOP state committee member who asked for anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly said: “Every indication that has been given to members of the … committee is that Pence getting picked is a very real possibility”.

These are all good things for Donald Trump. If that means sending Pence on the road with Trump, all the better.

Short, who left his post in the Koch network to assist Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign and is now a consultant, said Pence’s time in Congress would be an asset, pointing to his opposition to No Child Left Behind, the bank bailout and Medicare Part D. Ted Cruz over Trump in the GOP primaries also said the selection of Pence could help unite the party.

Even more, Pence is known for signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a highly criticized act that basically legalizes discrimination against LGBT individuals, according to several critics. Pence defeated Gregg in the 2012 gubernatorial race by 3 percentage points.

On the other hand, Hoosiers may not take too kindly to Pence bailing out on IN while he’s being courted by Trump.

An Indiana native, Pence is a lawyer by trade. However, with Mike Pence in his team, a candidate who regularly touts his Christian faith, using the Bible as an argument when supporting his disapproval for the gay community, for example, Trump would have a big advantage.