INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mike Pence will officially announce his reelection bid this evening at the state Republican Party’s spring fundraising dinner.
While Pence had flirted with the idea of running for higher office – mentioned often by pundits as a potential presidential contender – controversies surrounding the near-creation of a state-run news service and his handling of the religious freedom law submarined that chance. Instead, Pence will seek to become the sixth Indiana governor to win reelection; since 1972, only one sitting governor – Joe Kernan, who assumed the role when Frank O’Bannon died – has failed to win.
The governor is currently unopposed in the GOP primary while three Democrats are vying for the right to challenge Pence next year: former House Speaker John Gregg, who ran against Pence in 2012; State Superintendent Glenda Ritz; and State Senator Karen Tallian.
Democrats are planning their own statement for the governor’s announcement – a protest outside the event in Indianapolis.