Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has endorsed Mike Pence for U.S. president in 2024, marking his highest-profile endorsement so far.
The former vice president, who officially entered the race on June 7, announced Holcomb’s endorsement in a lengthy statement posted to Twitter in which he thanked his “fellow Hoosier” for his support.
“Karen and I are truly humbled by Governor Holcomb’s endorsement as we set out to make America stronger and more prosperous,” said Pence, an Indiana native.
“Governor Holcomb was a steadfast partner as we cut taxes, achieved record employment, expanded school choice, and stood for the right to life here in the Hoosier State, and I am grateful for his unwavering support,” he added.
Holcomb, meanwhile, said he has known Pence for “decades” and praised the former vice president’s honesty and experience.
Pence served as governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017 while Holcomb served under him as lieutenant governor from 2016 to 2017. Pence then left to serve as vice president in the Trump administration and Holcomb went on to succeed him as governor of the state.
“Never once has he sacrificed an ounce of integrity in service to our state and nation as Congressman, Governor, and Vice President,” Holcomb said of Pence.
“Mike’s long been known to be forthright on the issues of the day, convicted in thought, and a consistent messenger regarding America’s role, at home and abroad, as a powerful force for good,” Holcomb continued.
Pence Distances Himself From Trump
“He’s experienced, allergic to personal scandal, and prepared to serve as our next President on day one. As one Hoosier Governor to another, I look forward to supporting him as the weeks and months ahead unfold,” the governor concluded.Pence announced he was entering the presidential race earlier this month with a video released on Twitter in which he criticized President Joe Biden and the “radical left” for weakening the United States both at home and abroad and dragging down the economy.
His video stopped short of making any reference to the former president and current Republican competitor Donald Trump, whom Pence staunchly supported throughout his first two presidential campaigns and most of his presidency, but whom the Republican has sought to distance himself from recently.
Trump announced in November that he is running for president again.
Speaking at a CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa on June 7 after announcing his 2024 bid, Pence took a different stance to Trump on issues such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, government spending, and the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol in an effort to distinguish himself from his competitor, who has already garnered vast support.
Trump Leading in Polls
Pence told the audience that, unlike Trump, he would not be granting pardons to any of the individuals who have been charged for taking part in the breach if he were to be elected president.“I have no interest or no intention of pardoning those that assaulted police officers or vandalized our Capitol. They need to be answerable to the law,” Pence said.
He also criticized Trump for describing Putin as a “genius” for his invasion of Ukraine and took aim at Trump’s questioning of the 2020 election results.
Polls show that Trump is currently leading among Republican primary voters despite his court appearance earlier this month as part of the federal government’s classified document case.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 felony charges related to his alleged improper possession of classified records at Mar-a-Lago.
Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is polling in second place among GOP candidates while Pence is polling in third place, polls show.
Pence has also been endorsed by his brother, Greg Pence, and speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, Todd Huston.
