Mike Pence

The neutral encyclopedia of notable people
Mike Pence
BornMichael Richard Pence
7 6, 1959
BirthplaceColumbus, Indiana, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, lawyer, radio host, academic
TitleDistinguished Visiting Professor of Practice, George Mason University
Known for48th Vice President of the United States; 50th Governor of Indiana; certifying the 2020 presidential election results on January 6, 2021
EducationIndiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (J.D.)
Spouse(s)Karen Pence
Children3
AwardsProfile in Courage Award (2025)

Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician, lawyer, and former broadcaster who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, Pence previously served as the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana from 2001 to 2013. Born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, in a large Irish-American Catholic family, Pence became an Evangelical Christian while in college and later built a career that spanned law, conservative media, and elected office. After two unsuccessful bids for Congress in the late 1980s, he hosted a syndicated conservative radio and television talk show throughout the 1990s before winning election to the House in 2000. In Congress, he rose to chair both the Republican Study Committee and the House Republican Conference. As governor, he signed significant tax cuts and several controversial social policy measures. Selected as Trump's running mate in 2016, Pence served as vice president during a term marked by the creation of the National Space Council, the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and ultimately, the contentious aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. His decision to oversee the certification of Joe Biden's electoral victory on January 6, 2021, despite intense pressure from Trump and his supporters, became a defining moment of his career. In 2025, he was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his actions that day.[1][2]

Early Life

Michael Richard Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana, one of six children in a large Irish-American family.[3] His father, Edward J. Pence Jr., was a Korean War veteran who ran a group of gas stations in southern Indiana, and his mother was Geraldine Kathleen "Nancy" Kuhn Pence.[4] The Pence family's roots trace back to Ireland; Pence has spoken publicly about his Irish heritage on multiple occasions during his political career.[5][6] His grandfather Richard Michael Cawley emigrated from County Sligo, and the family maintained a connection to their Irish roots over the generations.[7]

Pence grew up in a Democratic-leaning household in a working-class environment. He was raised Catholic and has described himself as having been inspired by President John F. Kennedy and the Democratic Party during his youth.[8] He was a registered Democrat before 1983, when he switched his party affiliation to Republican. Pence has described his political transformation as having been influenced by the presidency of Ronald Reagan and his own evolving religious convictions.[8]

His brother, Greg Pence, later entered politics himself and served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana. His nephew, John Pence, also became involved in Republican politics.[3]

Education

Pence graduated from Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Hanover College, a small liberal arts institution in southeastern Indiana, in 1981.[3] It was during his college years that Pence underwent a significant religious conversion, becoming a born-again Christian and embracing Evangelical Christianity, a shift that would profoundly shape his political identity and policy positions throughout his career.[8][9]

After completing his undergraduate degree, Pence enrolled at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1986.[3] He subsequently practiced law in Indiana before turning his attention to politics.

Career

Early Political Campaigns and Media Career

Pence made his first foray into electoral politics with two unsuccessful bids for the U.S. House of Representatives. He ran for Indiana's 2nd congressional district in 1988 and again in 1990, losing both times.[3][10] These early defeats did not end his public career; instead, they redirected it toward media. From 1994 to 1999, Pence hosted a syndicated conservative talk radio show across Indiana, which he described as "Rush Limbaugh on decaf," signaling a more measured conservative approach.[10] The program expanded to include a weekly television component on Indiana television stations, raising Pence's profile across the state and establishing him as a recognizable conservative commentator.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives (2001–2013)

In 2000, Pence ran again for Congress, this time winning election to represent Indiana's 2nd congressional district. He took office on January 3, 2001.[3] Following redistricting, he represented Indiana's 6th congressional district from 2003 until 2013. During his twelve years in Congress, Pence established himself as a consistent fiscal and social conservative. He opposed government spending increases and supported tax cuts, while also advocating for socially conservative positions rooted in his Evangelical Christian faith.[10]

Pence rose through the ranks of House Republican leadership. He chaired the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of conservative House members, from 2005 to 2007.[11] He then served as Chair of the House Republican Conference, the third-ranking position in House Republican leadership, from 2009 to 2011.[3] His leadership of the Republican Study Committee placed him at the center of conservative policy debates, including on immigration, where his positions occasionally put him at odds with elements of his own base.[11]

During his time in the House, Pence was known for opposing expansions of government authority and spending. He voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and the No Child Left Behind Act, and consistently pushed for lower taxes and reduced federal regulation.[10] He considered a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 but ultimately decided against it, choosing instead to pursue the Indiana governorship.[3]

Governor of Indiana (2013–2017)

Pence was elected governor of Indiana in 2012 and took office on January 14, 2013, succeeding Republican Governor Mitch Daniels.[3] His tenure as governor was defined by significant tax policy changes, social legislation that drew national attention, and education policy initiatives.

Tax Policy and Economic Initiatives

As governor, Pence enacted what was described as the largest tax cut in Indiana's history, reducing the individual income tax rate. He positioned himself as a pro-business governor focused on economic development and fiscal conservatism, continuing the approach of his predecessor.[3][10]

Religious Freedom Restoration Act

In March 2015, Pence signed Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) into law. The legislation was intended to prevent state and local government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion without a compelling governmental interest. However, the law drew immediate and intense criticism from the business community, LGBT advocacy groups, and moderate Republicans, who argued it could be used to justify discrimination against LGBT individuals.[10][12]

The backlash was swift and substantial. Major corporations, sports organizations, and state governments threatened boycotts of Indiana. Facing mounting pressure, Pence approved amendments to the law that explicitly prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors. The episode drew national media attention and became one of the most prominent controversies of his governorship.[10][12]

Abortion Legislation

Pence signed multiple anti-abortion measures during his time as governor, reflecting his longstanding opposition to abortion rights. Among the most notable was a 2016 law that banned abortions based on the fetus's race, gender, or disability and required funerary services for terminated fetuses, including in cases of miscarriage. The legislation was among the most restrictive abortion measures in the United States at the time. A federal judge subsequently ruled portions of the law unconstitutional.[10][12]

Education Policy

Pence pushed for increased funding for private education initiatives, including school voucher programs and charter schools. These policies were consistent with his broader conservative educational philosophy favoring school choice and reduced federal involvement in education.[3]

Vice Presidency (2017–2021)

Selection as Running Mate

In July 2016, Donald Trump selected Pence as his vice presidential running mate for the 2016 presidential election. The selection was seen as a move to reassure social conservatives and the Republican establishment, given Pence's record in Congress and as governor, as well as his Evangelical Christian faith.[10][13] The Trump-Pence ticket won the 2016 election, and Pence was inaugurated as the 48th vice president on January 20, 2017, succeeding Joe Biden.

National Space Council

As vice president, Pence chaired the reconstituted National Space Council, which had been dormant since 1993. The council was tasked with coordinating space policy across federal agencies and played a role in the administration's push for the Artemis program, which aimed to return American astronauts to the Moon.[10]

White House Coronavirus Task Force

In February 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading in the United States, President Trump appointed Pence to lead the White House Coronavirus Task Force. In this role, Pence was responsible for coordinating the federal government's response to the pandemic, including working with state governors, managing the distribution of medical supplies, and overseeing public communications about the virus. The task force's response became a subject of significant political debate throughout 2020.[10]

2020 Election and January 6, 2021

The Trump-Pence ticket lost their bid for re-election in the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Following the election, Trump refused to concede, made false or unproven allegations of widespread election fraud, and filed numerous unsuccessful lawsuits in multiple states challenging the results.

In the weeks leading up to January 6, 2021 — the date set for the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College results — Trump and his allies publicly pressured Pence to use his ceremonial role as president of the Senate to reject or delay the certification of certain state electors. Pence, after consulting with legal scholars and advisors, concluded that he did not have the constitutional authority to unilaterally reject electoral votes.[10]

On January 6, 2021, as a mob of Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol, Pence refused to leave the Capitol complex and, after the building was secured, returned to the Senate chamber to preside over the completion of the certification process, confirming Biden and Harris as the winners. His decision to fulfill his constitutional duty, against the demands of the sitting president and in the face of a violent insurrection during which some rioters chanted threats against him, became one of the most significant acts of his political career.[14]

Post–Vice Presidency

Distancing from Trump

Following the end of the Trump administration, Pence gradually distanced himself from his former running mate. He endorsed candidates in Republican primary elections who ran in opposition to Trump-backed candidates and publicly criticized Trump's conduct on January 6, 2021.[10]

2024 Presidential Campaign

In June 2023, Pence launched a campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Running on a platform that emphasized traditional conservative values, fiscal discipline, and a forward-looking vision for the Republican Party, Pence struggled to gain traction in a crowded primary field dominated by Trump. He withdrew from the race by October 2023. Notably, Pence declined to endorse Trump for the 2024 presidential election.[15]

Academic and Public Speaking Career

Following his withdrawal from the presidential race, Pence transitioned into academic life and public commentary. In early 2026, he joined the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice.[16] He has also continued to deliver public lectures at universities, including a February 2026 address at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where he discussed civic education, the intersection of faith and politics, and current policy issues including trade and tariffs.[17][18]

In his post–vice presidential public appearances, Pence has criticized Trump-era tariff policies, comparing sweeping tariffs to "taxation without representation" during the colonial period under King George III.[19] He praised a 2026 Supreme Court ruling that struck down presidential tariff authority, calling it a "victory for the American people."[20][21]

Personal Life

Pence married Karen Batten, a schoolteacher and watercolor artist, in 1985. The couple has three children, including daughter Charlotte Pence, who has worked as an author and filmmaker.[3] Karen Pence served as Second Lady of the United States during her husband's vice presidency and was active in promoting art therapy awareness.

Pence's religious faith has been central to his public identity. Raised Catholic, he underwent a conversion experience in college and identifies as a born-again Christian and Evangelical. He has stated that he considers himself to be "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order."[8][22] His faith has informed his positions on abortion, marriage, and other social issues throughout his career.

Pence's brother, Greg Pence, served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana's 6th congressional district — the same seat Mike Pence once held — beginning in 2019. His nephew, John Pence, has also been involved in Republican political organizing.[3]

The Pence family's Irish heritage has been a recurring theme in public life. During official visits and public speeches, Pence has referenced his family's emigration from Ireland and his grandfather's origins in County Sligo.[23] Research into the family's immigration history has also drawn broader attention to the concept of "chain migration" in American political discourse.[24]

Recognition

On May 4, 2025, Pence was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for his actions on January 6, 2021, specifically his decision to uphold his constitutional duty and oversee the certification of the 2020 presidential election results despite pressure and threats. The award, established in 1989, recognizes acts of political courage by elected officials.[25]

During his career in Congress and as governor, Pence received recognition from various conservative organizations for his voting record and policy positions. His chairing of the Republican Study Committee and the House Republican Conference reflected his standing among conservative members of the House Republican caucus.[11]

His appointment as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice at the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University in 2026 represents a form of institutional recognition of his experience in government and public policy.[26]

Legacy

Mike Pence's political legacy is shaped by his long career as a conservative lawmaker, governor, and vice president, but it is most distinctly marked by his actions on January 6, 2021. His refusal to exceed his constitutional authority in the face of extraordinary pressure from the president he had served for four years, and his insistence on completing the certification of the Electoral College results even as the Capitol was under siege, has been recognized as a significant act in defense of democratic norms and the constitutional process. The Profile in Courage Award specifically cited this decision.

His tenure as governor of Indiana left a mixed record. The large tax cut he enacted was praised by fiscal conservatives, while the Religious Freedom Restoration Act controversy demonstrated the political risks of social conservatism intersecting with an evolving national consensus on LGBT rights. His anti-abortion legislation presaged broader national debates over reproductive rights that intensified following the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

In the post-Trump era of the Republican Party, Pence has occupied an unusual position: a former vice president who served loyally alongside Trump for four years but who ultimately broke with him over the most fundamental question of democratic governance — the peaceful transfer of power. His unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign underscored the difficulty of that position within a party whose primary electorate remained largely aligned with Trump. His refusal to endorse Trump in 2024 further solidified the break.[27]

In his continued public life — through university lectures, opinion writing, and commentary on issues such as tariff policy and civic education — Pence has positioned himself as an advocate for constitutional conservatism and the rule of law, emphasizing themes of bipartisan civic responsibility and the importance of political leaders holding their own allies accountable.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Mike Pence".ABC News.https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mike-pence/story?id=40279288.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  2. ↑ "Pence discusses tariffs, intersection of faith and politics during university lecture".The News-Item.https://www.newsitem.com/news/local/pence-discusses-tariffs-intersection-of-faith-and-politics-during-university-lecture/article_d48b0b8d-783a-4b9f-b17a-8c08d1076229.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 "Trump's VP: 10 things to know about Indiana Gov. Mike Pence".The Indianapolis Star.2016-07-07.https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/07/trumps-vp-10-things-know-indiana-gov-mike-pence/86746980/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  4. ↑ "The Pence Family".Google Books.https://books.google.com/books?id=2S5jDwAAQBAJ&q=Geraldine+Kathleen+Kuhn+Pence&pg=PT14.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  5. ↑ "Mike Pence tried with extraordinary speech about Irish heritage".Independent.ie.https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mike-pence-tried-with-extraordinary-speech-about-irish-heritage-but-hillary-clinton-wins-the-biggest-cheer-of-the-night-35536251.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  6. ↑ "Mike Pence and Donald Trump's Irish connection".The Irish Times.https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/mike-pence-and-donald-trump-s-irish-connection-doonbeg-1.2720970.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  7. ↑ "Mike Pence's Ireland pride inspired by family, not always reciprocated".USA Today.2019-09-02.http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/02/mike-pences-ireland-pride-inspired-family-not-always-reciprocated/2164818001.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Mike Pence's Journey: Catholic Democrat to Evangelical Republican".The New York Times.2016-07-21.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/21/us/politics/mike-pence-religion.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  9. ↑ "5 faith facts on Mike Pence: A 'born-again, evangelical Catholic'".National Catholic Reporter.https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/5-faith-facts-mike-pence-born-again-evangelical-catholic.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 HealyPatrickPatrick"Mike Pence: A Conservative Proudly Out of Step With His Times".The New York Times.2016-11-12.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/12/us/politics/mike-pence-vice-president.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Star of the Right Loses His Base at the Border".The New York Times.2006-08-29.https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/29/washington/star-of-the-right-loses-his-base-at-the-border.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "The Danger of President Pence".The New Yorker.2017-10-23.https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/23/the-danger-of-president-pence.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  13. ↑ "5 things to know about U.S. Vice President Mike Pence".Star Tribune.http://www.startribune.com/5-things-to-know-about-us-vice-president-mike-pence/419544163/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  14. ↑ "Former VP Pence Spoke At Susquehanna University".WKOK.https://www.wkok.com/former-vp-pence-spoke-at-susquehanna-university/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  15. ↑ "Pence puts America First. Other Republicans can, too.".USA Today.2026-02-04.https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/02/04/mike-pence-republicans-trump-minnesota/88477365007/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  16. ↑ "Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice".George Mason University.2026-02.https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-02/mike-pence-makes-schar-school-debut-professor-practice.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  17. ↑ "Pence discusses tariffs, intersection of faith and politics during university lecture".The News-Item.https://www.newsitem.com/news/local/pence-discusses-tariffs-intersection-of-faith-and-politics-during-university-lecture/article_d48b0b8d-783a-4b9f-b17a-8c08d1076229.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  18. ↑ "Mike Pence Lecture at Susquehanna University".C-SPAN.https://www.c-span.org/event/public-affairs-event/mike-pence-lecture-at-susquehanna-university/440693.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  19. ↑ "Fmr. Vice President Mike Pence Compares Trump Tariffs to "Taxation without Representation" Under King George III".C-SPAN.https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/fmr-vice-president-mike-pence-compares-trump-tariffs-to-taxation-without-representation-under-king-george-iii/5194130.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  20. ↑ "'Victory for the American People': Mike Pence applauds Supreme Court decision on Trump tariffs".NJ.com.2026-02.https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/02/victory-for-the-american-people-mike-pence-applauds-supreme-court-decision-on-trump-tariffs.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  21. ↑ "Mike Pence cheers Supreme Court ruling against Trump's tariffs".The Washington Times.2026-02-20.https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/feb/20/mike-pence-cheers-supreme-court-ruling-trumps-tariffs/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  22. ↑ "5 faith facts on Mike Pence: A 'born-again, evangelical Catholic'".Religion News Service.2016-07-14.http://religionnews.com/2016/07/14/5-faith-facts-on-mike-pence-a-born-again-evangelical-catholic/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  23. ↑ "Mike Pence's Ireland pride inspired by family, not always reciprocated".USA Today.2019-09-02.http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/09/02/mike-pences-ireland-pride-inspired-family-not-always-reciprocated/2164818001.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  24. ↑ "How 'chain migration' brought us the Trump White House".The Washington Post.2018-01-29.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/01/29/how-chain-migration-brought-us-the-trump-white-house/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  25. ↑ "Pence discusses tariffs, intersection of faith and politics during university lecture".The News-Item.https://www.newsitem.com/news/local/pence-discusses-tariffs-intersection-of-faith-and-politics-during-university-lecture/article_d48b0b8d-783a-4b9f-b17a-8c08d1076229.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  26. ↑ "Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice".George Mason University.2026-02.https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-02/mike-pence-makes-schar-school-debut-professor-practice.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  27. ↑ "Pence puts America First. Other Republicans can, too.".USA Today.2026-02-04.https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/02/04/mike-pence-republicans-trump-minnesota/88477365007/.Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  28. ↑ "Pence discusses tariffs, intersection of faith and politics during university lecture".The News-Item.https://www.newsitem.com/news/local/pence-discusses-tariffs-intersection-of-faith-and-politics-during-university-lecture/article_d48b0b8d-783a-4b9f-b17a-8c08d1076229.html.Retrieved 2026-02-25.

Retrieved from "https://biography.wiki/index.php?title=Mike_Pence&oldid=3387"