Trump picks Indiana Governor Pence as running mate: Media Reports

Updated: 2016-07-15 02:34

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Trump picks Indiana Governor Pence as running mate: Media Reports

Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump's campaign manager Corey Lewandowski (L) looks on as Trump speaks about the results of the Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and Missouri primary elections during a news conference held at his Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, March 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Republican Donald Trump will name Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his vice -presidential running mate, US news organizations reported on Thursday, a move that will put at Trump's side a conservative with the potential to unify divided Republicans.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is to announce his choice on Friday at 11 a.m. in Manhattan. The choice of Pence was first reported by Roll Call. The Indianapolis Star said it had confirmed that Pence would drop his re-election bid to join the Trump campaign. The New York Times and CBS News also said Pence was Trump’s pick, but the Times cautioned that some Republicans believe "the party's mercurial presidential candidate may still backtrack on his apparent choice."

Roll Call said Trump was reportedly impressed with Pence's calm demeanor, his experience on Capitol Hill and as a governor, and Pence's potential to assist in governing if Trump wins in November. Trump, a New York businessman, has never held elected office.

Trump is to be formally nominated as the party's candidate for the Nov 8 election at the Republican National Convention next week in Cleveland. Traditionally, the vice-presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists.

Trump's choice of a running mate is seen as critical because his defeat of 16 rivals in the Republican primary race left the party divided and some party leaders are still uneasy about some of his campaign positions and his style.

Trump had also considered former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich, 73, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, 53, as finalists.

Pence, 57, a former congressman, is seen as a safe choice, not too flashy but popular among conservatives, with Midwestern appeal and the ability to rally more party faithful behind Trump.

Pence also could give a boost to Trump's campaign fundraising efforts. The governor has strong ties to billionaire donors Charles and David Koch, including current and former staff members who have worked for them.

Pence and Trump met on Wednesday at the governor's residence in Indianapolis. They were joined by members of Trump's family.

Pence had backed a Trump rival, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, in April before the Indiana primary, but he praised Trump and said he would work on behalf of the eventual Republican nominee. Trump won Indiana anyway, prompting Cruz to drop out of the race to be the party's nominee.

Pence had considered running for president himself in 2016 before deciding to run for re-election as governor. Conservatives had urged him to seek the White House, but missteps last year related to an Indiana law seen as anti-gay hurt his national profile.

This year, he was the target of a mocking social media campaign by women outraged at a law he signed creating new restrictions on abortions. Feeling that the law invaded their privacy, women responded by calling Pence's office to describe their menstrual periods or tweeting similar messages.

Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress twice before he won election to the House of Representatives in 2000, where he was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservatives.

 

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