Will Mike Pence Run for President? – For some time now, former Vice President Mike Pence has spent time campaigning on behalf of other Republicans, visiting important early voting states, and giving speeches at high-profile conservative events – all of which have culminated in rumors that the former VP is considering a run for the top job.
While Pence has not made anything official about a potential 2024 run, there are signs that he is still considering it. In August, the former vice president visited Waverly, Iowa, to attend the Bremer County Republicans’ Annual Summer Grill and Chill.
Speaking at the event, Pence said that he expects the people of Iowa will “reflect carefully on the opportunity we have to bring our country back” as we head into the November midterms and the 2024 presidential election.
“Iowa always plays an outsized role in the destiny of the nation,” Pence added, before making a nod at the possibility of him running again in 2024.
“From over in the Hoosier state we’ve watched from afar all my life as the people of Iowa have done their job making sure that we’re choosing the right leadership at the right time. And I have every confidence when that time comes, you’ll do it again.”
Also in August, during a visit to the Iowa State Fair, the former vice president addressed the rumors more directly, revealing that he would make a decision about running next year.
“After the first of the year, my family and I will do as we’ve always done, and that is reflect and pray on where we might next serve, where we might contribute,” Pence said after being asked about the rumors he is considering a run of his own.
Could He Be Planning Something Else?
If Pence isn’t running for president in 2024, then all these campaign events could be serving a different purpose. Instead of running, Pence could be setting the stage for an endorsement.
When the time comes, Pence could offer his endorsement to another Republican candidate – one he believes could win over the hardline Trump voters he likely lost following the January 6 fiasco, while at the same time appealing to Republicans who liked Trump’s policies but weren’t sold on his personality.
Governor Mike Pence of Indiana speaking to supporters at an immigration policy speech hosted by Donald Trump at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Even if Pence is playing it safe and planning on using his influence to endorse and support another candidate, it’s not clear his endorsement will have sufficient power to move Republican voters away from former President Donald Trump.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
