From the INDIANAPOLIS STAR:
Gov. Mike Pence is dropping his re-election bid in Indiana to become Donald Trump’s running mate.
IndyStar has confirmed that Trump plans to announce Pence as his selection for Vice President, ending a weeks-long casting call during which Trump vetted a handful of high-profile Republicans.
A formal announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday in Manhattan.
The long-awaited decision upends the political landscape in Indiana and at least partially remakes the Trump campaign in Pence’s image.
In Pence, Trump has added a social conservative who GOP strategists say will reassure rank-and-file Republicans that Trump can be trusted to pursue their interests. Veteran political observers say Pence, a former U.S. House member, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and current Gov. of Indiana, will provide a disciplined counter to Trump’s improvisational campaign style. Pence also brings fundraising power and credibility on a wide range of policy issues that are important to conservatives.
He could become the first Vice President from Indiana since Dan Quayle took office in 1989 under George H.W. Bush.
Pence’s departure for national politics sets up a scramble among Indiana Republicans to determine who will replace Pence to run against Democratic challenger John Gregg in the November Gubernatorial election.
For the first time in State history, the Indiana Republican State Committee will determine the GOP candidate for Governor in a process that could last into August. The 22-member panel has 30 days from the date Pence officially withdraws his candidacy to choose Pence’s replacement on the ballot.
Once it’s clear who will be vying for the Republican nomination, the committee must provide a 10-day notice before it votes. That means, at the earliest, the process will conclude in late July.
The field of candidates already includes at least two elected officials. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita have declared their intentions to run.
Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has not yet publicly said he will seek the office, is thought to be a front-runner. U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks of Carmel also could be a candidate.
The most recent poll, which was conducted in May, showed Pence leading Gregg 40% to 36%, a virtual tie when factoring in the 4% margin of error. Pence defeated Gregg in the 2012 race by 3 percentage points.
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