Donald Trump Chooses Mike Pence For VP: A Look Inside Trump’s Running Mate

According to the Indianapolis Star, Donald Trump has decided to go with Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his 2016 presidential running mate. Pence is a relative unknown on a national scale, so what’s the story behind the man who Donald Trump has chosen to stand beside him in his quest for the presidency?

Mike Pence is known as a disciplined politician, something members of the Republican Party feel will be an effective balance to Trump’s shoot-from-the-hip style. Pence is considered a social conservative, and as such will be expected to support Donald Trump’s policies if he is elected in November. Pence is also known in political circles as an experienced, credible leader who also happens to have a strong fundraising network behind him.

Pence is currently the governor of Indiana, having been elected to that post in 2012. Indiana law does not allow anyone to run for state and federal office at the same time, so Pence will drop out of the Indiana race for governor once his vice presidential candidacy has been made official.

Here's everything you need to know about Indiana Gov. Mike Pence: https://t.co/Mlj6eZ63izhttps://t.co/RkECxLPp1k

— ABC News (@ABC) July 14, 2016

Nationally, Mike Pence is probably best-known for the controversy created in 2015 when he signed Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. There was widespread criticism of the law, as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities felt the new law would make it easier for businesses to openly discriminate against them, as reported by the Huffington Post. In response to the outcry, Pence later signed a revision of the bill which made it more clear that such discrimination was not being encouraged in any way.

“This isn’t about disputes between individuals,” he said at the time. “It’s about government overreach, and I’m proud that Indiana stepped forward, and I’m working hard to clarify this.”

Mike Pence, 57, was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, as part of a large family. Interestingly, he was raised by parents who were Irish Catholic Democrats. Pence attended law school and after graduation, worked as an attorney for a few years before launching his career as a politician. However, Pence didn’t find immediate success in politics. As a result, he turned to the media industry for a time, hosting his own radio and television shows, per ABC News.

Pence won his first political office in 2000 when he became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He went on to become the Chair of the House Republican Conference in 2009, before embarking on his eventual winning campaign for governor of Indiana in 2012.

5 Things To Know About Mike Pence. He's born again so hopefully, it is not going to interfere with secularity. https://t.co/aE3oR4uo8Y

— Michael Murphy (@Michael_Murphy) July 14, 2016

Mike Pence’s political views have been shaped by the fact that he is a born-again Christian, and he is very open about his faith.

“But as I think about the past five decades of my life, nothing can compare to the inexpressible joy I felt on a night in April 1978, when I gave my life to Jesus Christ,” Pence said during a public speech in 2009.

At a recent Trump rally in Indiana, Pence made an enthusiastic speech in support of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

“We are ready for Donald Trump to be our next president,” Pence said. “You know, Donald Trump understands the frustrations and the hopes of the American people like no other American leader in my lifetime since Ronald Reagan. The American people are tired.”

However, Pence was initially a Ted Cruz supporter as the 2016 campaign began, but even then, he had words of praise for Donald Trump. As it turns out, it was wise for Pence not to burn any bridges, as he is now on the cusp of being chosen as Donald Trump’s running mate.

Regarding his personal life, Mike Pence has been married since 1985 to his wife Karen; they have three adult children. His favorite superhero is Superman, and his all-time favorite film is The Wizard of Oz.

Now that Donald Trump has chosen Mike Pence for VP, do you think this will help Trump in his bid for the White House?

[Photo by Michael Conroy, David Zalubowski/AP Images]