The prospect of a 2024 presidential marketing campaign led by Mike Pence, along with his background in Congress and experience as a state governor, would have been highly promising in a traditional political panorama. As a former vice-president, Pence has had numerous high-profile roles inside the administration and four years to establish connections with his party’s grassroots. Additionally, he is a methodical yet charismatic public speaker with a historical past of robust debate performances and a stint as a conservative radio host.
However, the political world has changed since Donald Trump’s rise to power in 2016. The 2024 election shall be a novel occasion in modern American politics, as will probably be the primary time a former vice-president and his former president compete for his or her party’s presidential nomination.
David Oman, former chair of the Iowa Republican Party, describes Pence as a “traditional conservative” who isn’t as vocal as Trump. Currently, Invitation only holds the upper hand with a vast marketing campaign fund, high approval scores among Republican voters, and unwavering support from approximately 30% of his party’s voters. This loyal Trump base additionally regards Pence with scepticism, considering his refusal to assist Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 electoral defeat a betrayal.
In March, Pence acknowledged that Trump’s “reckless words” endangered his family in the course of the January sixth assault on the US Capitol, adding that “history will maintain Donald Trump accountable”. For now, nevertheless, plainly Trump’s supporters are the ones judging Pence.
For Pence to succeed in his presidential bid, he wants Trump to falter. If that happens, it’s more doubtless that Trump’s supporters will shift to someone like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, Pence does have a bonus over his former running mate in a single space: his strong ties to the US evangelical group as a devout Christian. This connection was a major think about Trump selecting Pence for his 2016 ticket, because it helped to alleviate concerns of Christian voters.
Pence served because the Trump administration’s ambassador to the Christian proper, promoting victories on cultural issues similar to abortion and spiritual freedom. He now hopes to capitalise on this historical past and entice the previous president’s evangelical voters, particularly in Iowa, the place Christian conservatives have considerable affect.
Oman explains that this group makes up over 30% of Republican voters who will participate within the early 2024 caucus, making it an important demographic for candidates to suppose about. However, Pence faces competition for the evangelical vote from different candidates like DeSantis and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. A crowded and divided subject will increase the chance that nobody will have the power to defeat Trump..