Indiana Governor Mike Pence is expected to be Donald Trump’s running mate. (Getty)
Donald Trump has picked Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate. Trump was scheduled to make the announcement on Friday, but those plans were put on hold because of the attack in Nice, France. The announcement will now take place on July 16 at 11 a.m.
The New York Times reports that Trumps campaign told national Republican officials that Pence will be his pick. The announcement will be made in New York.
For Trump, Pence brings a long political resume to the table as a 12-year veteran of the House. He’s been governor of Indiana since 2013.
Here’s a look at Trump and Pence’s relationship.
1. Pence Opposes Trump’s Proposed Muslim Ban
(Twitter)
In December 2015, Pence tweeted that he does not support the ban on Muslims entering the country that Trump proposed. “Calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional,” Pence wrote.
However, as speculation that Pence would be Trump’s running mate heated up, Pence still said he would support Trump.
“Look, I served in Congress for 12 years, I’ve been governor for three and a half years. I haven’t agreed with every one of my Republican colleagues or Democratic colleagues on every issue. But I’m supporting Donald Trump because we need change in this country,” Pence told reporters, ABC News reports. “I believe he represents the kind of strong leadership at home and abroad that will, to borrow a phrase, make America great again.”
Pence’s opposition to the ban was met with criticism because he would not allow Syrian refugees into Indiana. The governor’s office sent a statement to USA Today, insisting that banning Muslims and banning Syrians were not the same.
“The Constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion,” Pence’s spokesman said. “There is a distinct difference, however, when it comes to security issues when members of the Obama administration’s intelligence community have said that ISIS has attempted to gain entry into the United States via the Syrian refugee program.”
2. Pence Called For Passage of Trans-Pacific Partnership, Which Trump has Criticized
(Twitter)
One of Trump’s favorite punching bags is the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Trump has said it helps China and would be terrible for American businesses.
However, Pence voiced support for TPP in a September 2014 tweet, seen above.
As the Washington Post points out, Pencei s a longtime supporter of international trade agreements. While in the House of Representatives, he voted for the Central American Free Trade Agreement and for keeping the U.S. in the World Trade Organization.
In April 2015, Pence urged the Indiana Congressional Delegation to vote for TPP.
“I encourage your support for Trade Promotion Authority, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and any other trade-related measures when they are brought before the Congress for consideration,” Pence wrote.
3. Pence First Supported Ted Cruz, but Embraced Trump After Cruz Dropped Out
Mike Pence. (Getty)
Pence told WIBC radio in April that he was voting for Cruz in the Indiana primary. However, he did not wait long to throw his support behind Trump after Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich dropped out.
At the Indiana Republican Convention in June, Pence said that Republicans need to come together to support Trump. “Now that the primaries are over, it’s time to come together. It’s time to come together around the people who were the people’s choice,” Pence said, reports the Indy Star.
Trump was receptive on Pence’s support. After they met earlier this month, Trump said he was “very impressed” with Pence.
Spent time with Indiana Governor Mike Pence and family yesterday. Very impressed, great people!
4. Pence Called Trump’s Comments About Judge Gonzalo Curiel ‘Inappropriate’
Mike Pence and President Barack Obama in October 2014. (Getty)
In June, Pence joined most Indiana politicians by disagreeing with Trump’s comments on Judge Golanzo Curiel, who was born in the Hoosier State. Trump had repeatedly questioned Curiel’s ability to handle Trump University lawsuits because he is of Mexican descent and Trump has called for a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Every American is entitled to a fair trial and an impartial judge, but of course I think those comments were inappropriate,” Pence said in June, reports the Indy Star.
5. Pence & Trump are Both Pro-Life
Pence and Trump are both pro-choice. In Pence’s case, he’s approved of laws to make it harder for women to have an abortion. In March, he signed a bill that would make it illegal for a woman to have an abortion after discovering if the fetus has a disability. However, three months later, a federal judge overturned the bill. U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled that previous Supreme Court rulings said that states can’t ban abortions before a fetus is able to live outside the womb.
When Pence introduced Trump at a rally on July 12, the governor was uncharacteristically forceful. He said that Trump will bring Republican leadership to the White House after eight years of a Democrat in office.
“Here in Indiana we know that strong, Republican leadership works. Different from our neighbors in Illinois, we have balanced budgets,” Pence said. “We’ve cut taxes. We’ve made record investments in education and roads, and today, there are more Hoosiers going to work than ever before in the 200-year history of the great state of Indiana. That’s what Republican leadership gets you. And that’s exactly the kind of no-nonsense leadership that Donald Trump is going to bring to the White House this November.”
As for Trump, he said that people would be calling Pence to tell him that “we’re winning too much.”
