2012

Mike Pence Nixes Presidential Bid

Indiana congressman may run for governor.

That was fast. One of the early GOP favorites to take on President Obama in 2012, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, announced Thursday he won’t seek the presidency—but he hinted that he may run for governor. “In the choice between seeking national office and serving Indiana in some capacity, we choose Indiana,” Pence said. A six-term congressman, Pence turned down the opportunity to pursue one of the most powerful Republicans in the GOP-controlled House to pursue other political opportunities—leading many to speculate a presidential run was in his near future. Pence said he’ll decide “later this year” whether he’ll seek the governor’s office.