Pence's Legislative Victories To Be Tested On Campaign Trail

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Mike Pence says actions that he supported during the recently adjourned legislative session yielded a "big win for Indiana."

The Republican recently celebrated millions that will be invested in road improvements, an increase in funding for an economic development effort he's spearheaded and a measure to eliminate the state's deeply unpopular ISTEP student exam.

But political observers question whether the series of victories Pence racked up with the help of lawmakers will be enough to whitewash some deeply unpopular decisions he has made. They believe those decisions could negatively impact his re-election efforts.

They cite his handling of a religious objections law that critics said would sanction discrimination against gay people, his moratorium on state aid for Syrian refugees and ambivalence to enshrining gay civil rights protections.