Indiana Congressman Mike Pence was rumored as a potential 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate. On January 27th 2011 he announced he would not seek the Republican nomination. He will instead run for Governor of Indiana.
Pence has maintained a strong fiscal and social conservative record. Pence has repeatedly denied rumors he would seek the nomination, often promoting current governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels instead.
History
Congressman Mike Pence was born on June 7th 1959 in Columbus, Indiana. He earned a B.A. from Hanover College and a J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law. Pence served as president of his fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. After college he served as president of the Indiana Policy Review, was a radio talk show host on WRCR-FM and was a practicing attorney.
Representative Pence and his wife Karen have three children, Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey
Political Career
Mike Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1988 and 1990 and received a direct endorsement from then President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
In 2000 he ran for Congress again and was elected. He has since been reelected 4 times.
In 2006 Pence launched a bid to become minority leader of the House of Representatives. He did not succeed.
In 2008 Pence ran and was elected unanimously to the position of Republican Conference Chairman, the third-highest-ranking Republican leadership position.
Positions & Ratings
Abortion
Pence is pro-life. In 2009 he attempted to defund Planned Parenthood by attaching an amendment to a Department of Health and Human Services funding bill. Pence noted that Planned Parenthood had received $350 Million in funding in the previous two years noting the organization, which generates a sizable profit, performed “290,000 abortions, which is 25,000 more than the previous year — and approximately one in every five abortions occurs at a Planned Parenthood facility.” While not successfully, Pence tried again in 2010.
Gun Rights
Pence scores an A-rating from the National Rifle Association. He has voted for a national conceal carry law allowing citizens to conceal firearms across state lines (09-HR197). He co-sponsored banning gun registration & the trigger lock law in Washington DC (H.R.1399/S.1001). He praised the Supreme Court ruling in McDonald v. Chicago, extending the second amendment federal right to bear arms to all fifty states. He voted yes to prohibit gun manufacturers from being sued for gun misuse (HR 1036).
Stem Cell Research
Pence is against embryonic stem cell research and voted against expanding federal funds to create new lines. He has affirmed his belief that embryonic stem-cell research destroys life.
Same-sex Marriage
Pence believes marriage should be limited to one man, one woman. He voted yes on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
TARP & Bailouts of 2008
Pence voted no on TARP and has remained opposed to financial bailouts.
