![]() ![]() Pence found himself in the national spotlight and on shaky ground after signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in March 2015. By 2016, Indiana was enjoying a $2-billion budget surplus and a pristine triple-A credit rating, though critics pointed out that the state's wages were below national average. He also signed into law the state's first pre-K funding program and steered funds toward infrastructure improvements. In 2013, Pence sealed the deal on a $1.1 billion give-back, the largest tax cut in state history. According to the donor agreement, the public is forbidden from seeing his papers from the 12 years he served in Congress until either December 5, 2022, or the death of the donor, whichever is later. He also drew attention for his social views, notably supporting a plan to shut down the government over a fight to defund Planned Parenthood in 2011.Īfter he became governor, Pence had his congressional papers, which are housed at Indiana University in Bloomington, sealed. ![]() He was unsuccessful in his bid to become minority leader in 2006, losing to Ohio's John Boehner, but two years later he was unanimously elected to the powerful position of Republican conference chairman.Ī staunch fiscal conservative, Pence insisted on cuts to the federal budget before supporting funding for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005, and was among the leading opponents of the federal bailout in 2008. While his positions rankled party elders, they bolstered his reputation as a man of strong convictions, and he easily won reelection five times.Ĭlimbing the ranks of Republican leadership, Pence was named head of the Republican Study Committee in 2005. Bush's No Child Left Behind policy in 2001, as well as the Medicare prescription drug expansion the following year. Describing himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order," he quickly demonstrated that he wasn't afraid to buck party lines. Pence revived his political career by running for Congress again in 2000, this time winning a seat. His radio show was syndicated in 1994, and he branched out to television as a morning show host the following year, before ending both programs in 1999. Pence served as president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation from 1991 through 1993, before making the leap to radio talk show punditry with "The Mike Pence Show." Referring to himself as " Rush Limbaugh on decaf," Pence was unapologetic in his support of a conservative agenda, but was commended for his level-headed manner and willingness to listen to opposing views. Meanwhile, his public profile continued to grow. However, Pence learned a valuable lesson in defeat disgusted by his own line of attack ads, he penned an essay in 1991 titled "Confessions of a Negative Campaigner," and vowed to preach a positive message from then on. Seeking to make a bigger splash, he ran for Congress in 19, losing both times to Democrat Phil Sharp. ![]() ![]() Pence went into private practice following his graduation and tried his hand at politics by becoming a precinct committeeman for the Marion County Republican Party. The couple has three adult children: Michael, Charlotte and Audrey. A former elementary school teacher, Karen has also been involved with youth-related nonprofit organizations. Pence has been married to wife Karen since 1985. in 1986. While church had played an important role in Pence's early family life, he became more deeply religious as a student at Hanover College, where he became a "born-again Evangelical Catholic." in history in 1981, he moved to Indianapolis in 1983 to attend the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, earning his J.D. While church had played an important role in Pence's early family life, he became more deeply religious as a student at Hanover College. Additionally, although he voted for Jimmy Carter in 1980, he became inspired by Ronald Reagan and the Republican Party. Kennedy and volunteered for the Bartholomew County Democratic Party as a student at Columbus North High School. He grew up idolizing former President John F. Army veteran who operated a series of gas stations, Pence was politically influenced by the Irish Catholic leanings of his family. One of six children of Nancy and Edward Pence, a U.S. Michael Richard Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana. ![]()
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