U.S. Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana, speaks to business leaders on Thursday during an Aspire Legislation Matters luncheon at Valle Vista Golf Club and Conference Center in Greenwood.
By Whitney Downard | Indiana Capital Chronicle
For The Republic
WASHINGTON — Another Hoosier will exit Congress at the end of the 2024 term after U.S. Rep. Greg Pence announced his departure on X Tuesday — creating a fourth open Indiana seat.
“In 2017, I ran for Congress because I was Ready to Serve Again. As a former Marine Office, I approached the job with purpose. After three terms, I’ve made the decision to not file for reelection. For the remainder of my term this year, our team will continue to focus on delivering outstanding constituent services. To the voters in Indiana’s 6th District — it is a privilege and honor to represent you in our Nation’s capital,” Pence said.
Pence, brother of former Indiana Gov. and Vice President Mike Pence, represents the 6th Congressional District, which covers central eastern Indiana and some counties south of Marion County — including his hometown of Columbus.
Greg Pence joined the Marine Corps in 1979, rising to the rank of first lieutenant after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago, according to his congressional bio. Following his honorably discharge, he joined the energy distribution industry and currently serves on Congress’ energy committee.
Some of Greg Pence’s biggest priorities, according to his website, include: limited government, fiscal responsibility, economic development, domestic energy production and the protection of conservative Hoosier values in Washington.
He could be a possible running mate should Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch win the GOP nomination for governor.
A congressional exodus
His departure comes after Rep. Larry Bucshon — Indiana’s most senior Republican House rep — announced he would retire on Monday. In addition to Pence and Bucshon, U.S. Rep. Jim Banks is running for the open U.S. Senate vacated after U.S. Sen. Mike Braun decided to run for governor. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz previously said she would retire from Congress, though she has recently said she could reconsider.
The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy with the Indiana Secretary of State is Feb. 9.
The anticipated vacancies in Banks’ 3rd Congressional District in northeastern Indiana and Spartz’s 5th Congressional District in north central Indiana have attracted a bevy of entrants to the safely Republican seats. Both Bucshon and Greg Pence have districts considered to be Republican strongholds.
The latest wave of congressional retirements mimics a December surge of departures, which included high-ranking members like former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, whose district covers two-thirds of Marion County, is Indiana’s most senior congressional representative, having assumed office in 2008 following a special election. Two of Indiana’s other elected members of Congress — Rudolph “Rudy” Yakym III in the 2nd Congressional District and Erin Houchin in the 9th Congressional District — would be running for re-election for the first time. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan assumed office in 2021.
None of the above have yet indicated their intention to leave Congress.
Finally, U.S. Rep. Jim Baird rebuffed rumors of his retirement last year, saying he would run for a third term in October.
— The Indiana Capital Chronicle covers state government and the state legislature. For more, visit indianacapitalchronicle.com.
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