Mike Pence

Author(s):

The Encyclopedia of Conservatism

Editor(s):

The Editors of The Encyclopedia of Conservatism

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Introduction

Michael Richard Pence (born on June 7^th, 1959) in Columbus, Indiana, is an American politician who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Raised in an Irish Catholic family, Pence’s parents owned gas stations. He attended Hanover College, where he underwent a transformational religious experience, becoming a “born-again, evangelical Catholic.” He married Karen Batten in 1985 after meeting at church. Pence later earned a law degree from Indiana University in 1986 and entered private practice. He first ventured into politics with two unsuccessful runs for the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 1990s, gaining attention for his conservative social positions.

House of Representatives and Conservative Stance

Pence’s breakthrough came in 2000 when he successfully won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his six terms in Congress, he championed social conservatism and identified himself as “a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order.” Pence staunchly opposes same-sex marriage, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and advocates against abortion rights. He developed a reputation as an effective orator and gained popularity within the Tea Party movement by challenging the party establishment on certain economic issues.

Governorship of Indiana and Controversial Legislation

In 2012, Pence successfully ran for the governorship of Indiana, focusing on job creation and tax cuts. During his tenure, he signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which drew criticism for potentially allowing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. Facing a widespread backlash and boycott threats, Pence signed a revision that aimed to prevent such discrimination based on “sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.” He also signed a law restricting abortions when the fetus had a disability, sparking further controversy.

Vice Presidency

Vice President Micheal Pence poses for his official portrait at The White House, in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, October 24, 2017.

In 2016, Pence was selected as the running mate of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. This choice was seen as an effort to balance the ticket with Pence’s conservative credentials and political experience. As Vice President, Pence strongly supported Trump’s policies and defended him during various controversies. He played a pivotal role in the administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and took on leadership of the government’s task force.

2024 Presidential Campaign and Ongoing Impact

Following his tenure as Vice President, Pence remained active in politics. He joined the Heritage Foundation and continued to speak on various issues. In 2023, he announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate who could distinguish himself from other Republicans. His campaign emphasized strict abortion restrictions and criticized former President Trump’s actions, particularly regarding the January 6th Capitol attack. Throughout his career, Pence has been a prominent figure in American politics, known for his conservative values and steadfast loyalty to his beliefs.