Mike Pence
Updated: Wikipedia source
Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 50th governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana from 2001 to 2013. Born in Columbus, Indiana, Pence graduated from Hanover College and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He lost two House bids in 1988 and 1990 and was a conservative radio and television talk show host from 1994 to 1999. Elected to the House in 2000, Pence represented Indiana's 2nd district from 2001 to 2003 and 6th district from 2003 to 2013. He chaired the Republican Study Committee from 2005 to 2007 and House Republican Conference from 2009 to 2011. He was elected governor of Indiana in 2012. As governor, Pence enacted Indiana's largest tax cut and pushed for more funding for private education initiatives. He signed multiple anti-abortion bills, including one banning abortions based on the fetus's race, gender, or disability and requiring funerary services for terminated fetuses, including miscarriages; a federal judge later ruled this law unconstitutional. After Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, he encountered resistance from moderate members of his party, the business community, and LGBT advocates. Facing backlash, Pence approved changes to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors. Pence became Donald Trump's running mate in 2016 and served as vice president from 2017 to 2021. Pence chaired the National Space Council and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Pence and Trump lost their bid for re-election in the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, although Trump refused to concede, made false or unproven allegations of election fraud, and filed numerous unsuccessful lawsuits in multiple states. Despite Trump's urging to overturn the election results and the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Pence oversaw the certification of Biden and Harris as the winners of the election. Pence later distanced himself from Trump, endorsing candidates in primary elections in opposition to those supported by Trump and criticizing Trump's conduct on the day of the Capitol attack. In June 2023, Pence launched a 2024 presidential bid but withdrew by October. He declined to endorse Trump in 2024. On May 4, 2025, Pence was awarded the JFK Profile in Courage Award for his conduct on January 6, 2021.