In a rare move, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has officially announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, pitting himself against his former boss, Donald Trump.
The announcement came on June 7, accompanied by a campaign video and a message expressing Pence's belief in the American people and his faith in the country's future. This situation of a Vice President running against a President he served under has occurred only a few times in U.S. history. Pence faces an uphill battle as he enters the Republican primary, currently polling at just 5% and trailing Trump by a significant margin of 44 points, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll conducted in May.
Pence, who will turn 64 on Wednesday, will join a crowded Republican field that revolves primarily around a two-man race between Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. His campaign kick-off event will take place near Des Moines, Iowa's capital, followed by a CNN town hall event on Wednesday evening. Pence's campaign officially declared his candidacy to the Federal Election Commission on Monday.
As a conservative Christian, Pence will focus his efforts heavily on Iowa, the first state to hold the nominating contest next year and boasting a substantial number of evangelical voters within the Republican electorate. A strong showing in Iowa is crucial for Pence to gain momentum and be a serious contender in the race.
During his time as Vice President, Pence consistently defended Trump through various scandals. However, he drew the ire of Trump and his supporters when, as the ceremonial president of the Senate, he refused to interfere with the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, citing constitutional limitations. The events of January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol during the certification process, further strained their relationship. Pence denounced Trump's actions and rhetoric, stating that he had endangered his family and everyone present at the Capitol that day. Some of the rioters even called for Pence's harm.
Pence's refusal to overturn the election result, seen as an act of betrayal by many of Trump's staunch supporters, may complicate his path to securing the nomination. While Pence still aligns himself with many of Trump's policies, he presents himself as a more measured and consensus-driven alternative. The success of his campaign will depend on his ability to attract those who support Trump's policies but are disenchanted with his divisive rhetoric and behavior, ultimately building a viable coalition of voters. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.