NEW YORK — Former Vice President Mike Pence is preparing to officially launch his long-anticipated campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in Iowa next week, in a move that adds another contender to the growing GOP field and positions Pence in direct competition with his former boss.
Pence’s kickoff event is slated for June 7 in Des Moines, which coincides with his 64th birthday. Anonymous sources familiar with his plans indicate that a video message is expected to be released that morning as part of the campaign launch.
The decision to initiate the campaign in Iowa, rather than Pence’s home state of Indiana, underscores the significance his team attributes to the early-voting state. They view Iowa as a critical component of Pence’s potential path to victory, with the hope that his message will resonate with the state’s sizable evangelical Christian Republican electorate. A staunch social conservative, Pence is adamantly opposed to abortion rights and supports a national ban.
Advisors reveal that Pence intends to campaign aggressively in Iowa, visiting all 99 counties prior to the caucuses next year. The campaign will concentrate on town halls and retail stops, including regular visits to Iowa’s renowned Pizza Ranch chain, in an effort to showcase Pence’s personality and background as he seeks to emerge from former President Donald Trump’s shadow.
Despite Pence’s familiarity among Republican voters, aides believe it is necessary for him to reintroduce himself to those who primarily associate him with his role as Trump’s vice president. Having served for over a decade in Congress and as Indiana’s governor before joining Trump’s ticket in 2016, Pence was an exceptionally loyal vice president until the pair diverged over the 2020 election.
Since then, Pence has increasingly distanced himself from Trump, strategically laying the foundation for his presidential campaign. While commending the “Trump-Pence administration,” he has also emphasized distinctions between the two in terms of policy and style. Pence has encouraged the party to move beyond Trump’s grievances over the election, cautioned against the rising tide of populism within the Republican Party, and criticized “Putin apologists” for their reluctance to confront the Russian leader over Ukraine.
Moreover, Pence has advocated for cuts to programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have vowed not to touch. Last month, Pence testified before a federal grand jury investigating attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results.
In anticipation of his presidential bid, Pence has spent months touring early-voting states, delivering policy speeches, addressing congregations at churches, and courting donors. Allies recently established a super PAC focused on constructing a paid ground operation to mobilize voters.
The week is also expected to see announcements from other GOP contenders, with former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie launching his campaign at a town hall event in New Hampshire, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum declaring his candidacy on June 7 in Fargo. Pence is scheduled to visit New Hampshire and North Carolina later in the week.
