Mike Wolanin | The Republic U.S. Rep Greg Pence, R-Ind., speaks at a press conference at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Ind., Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. Pence was joined by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, base officials and officials from the Department of Homeland Security to mark the conclusion of Operation Allies Welcome. Nearly all the Afghan refugees housed at Camp Atterbury have been resettled.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who is seeking the GOP nomination in the race for the Indiana governor’s office, has asked Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, to consider being her running mate, a campaign spokesman told The Republic.
Crouch is among four Republicans who have thrown their hat into the ring for the 2024 Republican nomination as the party seeks to extend its 20-year hold on the governor’s office. Current Gov. Eric Holcomb is term limited from seeking a third consecutive term.
The governor’s running mate would hold the role of lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate, as well as casts deciding votes in the event of a tie. In addition, the lieutenant governor is charged with assuming the role of governor if the sitting governor becomes unable to fulfill the duties of office or if the office falls vacant due to death.
“I have nothing to add other than to confirm (Lt. Gov.) Crouch asked Rep. Pence to consider being her running mate,” said Crouch campaign spokesman Robert Vane.
Pence’s staff did not respond to requests for comment.
Pence, 66, who is currently serving his third term in Congress, has not hidden his support for Crouch’s campaign. He formally endorsed Crouch’s campaign for governor in May, saying in a statement that she “is a proven conservative who will protect Hoosier values, stand up for families, faith, life and will always support law enforcement.”
In June, Pence made a $35,000 contribution to her campaign the following month — the largest single contribution he has given to any one candidate during his tenure in Congress, according to the Federal Election Commission.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
