Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his long-expected campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, putting him in direct competition with his former boss Donald Trump.
According to sources, Mike Pence will start the event on June 7, the date of his 64th birthday, and is expected to release a video message that morning as part of the launch.
Pence’s decision to start his campaign in Iowa, instead of his hometown is geared towards aligning with the evangelical Christian voters who make up a substantial portion of the state’s Republican electorate. The former US VP is a staunch social conservative and is strongly opposed to abortion rights, favoring a national ban.
Sources say he and his team believe the state is key to his victory and says he plans to campaign aggressively in every one of its 99 counties.
Mike Pence would joinTrump,Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis,Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), former U.S. ambassador to the United NationsNikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov.Asa Hutchinson, andothers who are vying for the Republican nomination, or actively exploring a run.
Despite Pence’s long-term business with politics, his aides believe he needs to work more on gaining popularity amongst the people who mainly know him as the vice president under Trump.
Pence has served for over a decade in Congress and as Indiana’s governor before he vied as Trump’s running mate in 2016 before the events of the 2020 election saw them apart.
Trump, allegedly tried to convince Pence and his supporters, that Pence could somehow reject voters’ will as he presided over the ceremonial counting of the Electoral College votes on Jan. 6, 2021, even though the vice president has no such power.
As the count was underway, a violent mob stormed the building, smashing through windows, assailing police, and sending Pence, his family, and his staff racing for cover as members of the mob chanted, “Hang Mike Pence!”
As Pence preps to face Trump, who is clogged with many court cases, the former vice president too, has his own legal dilemma to settle aftersaying he would fight a subpoenaby the special counsel investigating Trump and after classified documents were foundat his home in Indianain January.
