Former Vice President Mike Pence has officially launched his campaign for the Republican nomination for president, becoming the first vice president in modern history to challenge the president under whom he served. In a suburb of Des Moines, Pence delivered a strong denunciation of former President Donald Trump, accusing him of abandoning conservative principles and being guilty of dereliction of duty on Jan. 6, 2021.
During his campaign kickoff, Pence asserted that Trump had disqualified himself by insisting that Pence had the power to keep him in office, despite lacking such authority. Pence stated, “I believe anyone that puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again.”
Pence, who has spent the past few years subtly criticizing Trump, chose not to hold back during his declaration as a candidate. He accused Trump of forsaking conservative values, particularly regarding abortion, and claimed that Trump treated the sanctity of life as an inconvenience, even blaming the party’s election losses in 2022 on overturning Roe v. Wade.
With his entry into the race, Pence joins a crowded field that includes Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Pence’s campaign will test whether there is a demand within the party for a socially conservative, mild-mannered candidate who has critiqued the populist wave that surged through the GOP under Trump. It will also determine whether Pence can secure a political future despite lingering beliefs among some Republicans that the 2020 election was stolen and that Pence had the power to reject the results.
Recognizing the challenges ahead, Pence and his team have identified Iowa as a crucial state in their path to the nomination. They believe that Pence’s social conservative stance and his ability to connect with evangelical Christian voters will resonate with Iowa’s caucusgoers. However, Pence faces high unfavorability ratings and skepticism among some Republican voters who still blame him for not overturning the election results.
Pence’s advisers are aware of the hurdles and plan to directly address concerns about Jan. 6 by explaining that Pence was fulfilling his constitutional duty and had no authority to alter the outcome. They aim to reintroduce Pence to the public beyond his role as Trump’s second-in-command, highlighting his experience in congressional leadership and as governor. The campaign intends to focus on intimate settings such as town halls, house parties, and local diner visits to foster personal connections with voters.
Scott Reed, co-chair of a super PAC supporting Pence, believes there is a desire within the party for a candidate like Pence who embodies Reagan-style conservatism. Pence’s credentials, including his support for traditional social values, hawkish foreign policy, and small government economics, make him a strong contender in what he considers an “epic battle for the heart and soul” of the traditional wing of the Republican Party.
While Pence’s presidential bid brings significant challenges, including his association with Trump’s controversial actions, his campaign seeks to present him as an individual rather than just a vice president. They aim to showcase his personal qualities and remind voters of his past leadership roles, appealing to those seeking a return to conservative principles and values.
As the race for the Republican nomination unfolds, the clash between Pence and other contenders will shape the future direction of the party and its commitment to conservatism.