Pence Prepares for "Big Decision" in January
Politico reports:
If Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) decides to run for president, he’ll announce his candidacy before the end of January.
A source close to Pence told POLITICO that the conservative congressman still hasn’t decided whether he’ll run for president or opt, instead, for a gubernatorial bid. But sitting Republican Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman’s announcement Monday that she won’t run for governor appears to be pushing Pence toward Indianapolis.
“He will make a decision in the very near future,” within the “first couple weeks of January,” the Pence ally said.
Pence praised Skillman’s service in a statement Monday, shortly after Skillman said a minor health issue had contributed to her decision not to run for governor.
“Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman has served Indiana with integrity for more than 30 years and is among our most beloved public officials,” Pence said. “My family and I hold Becky in the highest regard and were troubled to learn that she was encountering challenges to her health.”
Pence’s decision to step aside from his role in the House Republican leadership shortly after the November elections was widely seen as a signal that he’s interested in higher office. Publicly, his office wasn’t offering any new clues on Monday.
“Congressman Pence believes that the focus today should be on the lieutenant governor, her health and her long career of distinguished service to the state of Indiana,” Pence spokesman Matt Lloyd said. “As he has said before, any decision concerning his future will come after the first of the year.”
