Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Pence
How Mike Pence built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Michael Richard Pence is an American politician and lawyer. He served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, under President Donald Trump. Prior to his role as Vice President, Pence served as the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017. Before becoming governor, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Indiana from 2001 to 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party.
1983: Worked as Admissions Counselor
From 1981 to 1983, Mike Pence worked as an admissions counselor at Hanover College after graduating.
1986: Became an Attorney
In 1986, after graduating from law school, Mike Pence became an attorney in private practice.
1988: Lost First House Bid
In 1988, Mike Pence lost his first bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1988: Ran for Congress Against Philip Sharp
In 1988, Mike Pence ran for Congress against Democratic incumbent Philip Sharp but lost.
1988: Hosted Radio Show
In 1988, after his first congressional campaign, Mike Pence began hosting a weekly radio show, "Washington Update with Mike Pence" on WRCR-FM.
1990: Ran controversial television ad during campaign
During the 1990 campaign, Pence ran a television advertisement featuring an actor in a robe and headdress, speaking in a Middle Eastern accent, which was viewed as controversial.
1990: Lost Second House Bid
In 1990, Mike Pence lost his second bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1990: Ran for Congress Again
In 1990, Mike Pence ran against Philip Sharp again for Congress, but was unsuccessful.
1991: Apologized for Running Negative Ads and became president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation
In 1991, Pence apologized for running negative ads against Philip Sharp and became the president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation.
1992: Started Hosting Daily Talk Show
In 1992, Mike Pence began hosting a daily talk show, "The Mike Pence Show", on WRCR.
1993: Ended Term as president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation
In 1993, Mike Pence's term as president of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation ended.
April 11, 1994: Network Indiana syndicated The Mike Pence Show
On April 11, 1994, Network Indiana began syndicating "The Mike Pence Show" statewide.
1994: Began Hosting Radio and Television Talk Show
In 1994, Mike Pence began hosting a conservative radio and television talk show.
1995: Hosted Television Show
From 1995, Mike Pence hosted a weekend public affairs TV show also titled "The Mike Pence Show" on Indianapolis TV station WNDY.
1999: Ended Radio and TV Shows
In 1999, Mike Pence ended his radio and television shows to focus on his 2000 campaign for Congress.
1999: Ended Radio and Television Talk Show
In 1999, Mike Pence ended his radio and television talk show.
2000: Inspiration from Al Gore's Example
In 2000, Al Gore presided over his own defeat in the presidential election, which inspired Pence 20 years later during the January 6th vote certification.
2000: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 2000, Mike Pence was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Indiana's 2nd congressional district.
2000: Elected to the House
In 2000, Mike Pence was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Indiana's 2nd district.
2000: Won U.S. House Seat
In 2000, Mike Pence won the seat in Indiana's 2nd congressional district.
2001: Became Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
In 2001, Mike Pence became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
2001: Represented Indiana's 2nd District
In 2001, Mike Pence began representing Indiana's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2001: Opposed No Child Left Behind Act
In 2001, Mike Pence opposed President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act during his first year in office.
2002: Statement on Intelligent Design
In 2002, Mike Pence stated on the floor of the House of Representatives that he believes "only the theory of intelligent design provides even a remotely rational explanation for the known universe."
2003: Represented Indiana's 6th District
In 2003, Mike Pence began representing Indiana's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2003: Opposed Medicare Prescription Drug Expansion
In 2003, Mike Pence opposed President Bush's Medicare prescription drug expansion.
2005: Chairman of the Republican Study Committee
From 2005, Mike Pence was chairman of the Republican Study Committee.
November 2006: Candidacy for Republican Party Leader
In November 2006, Mike Pence announced his candidacy for leader of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives but lost to John Boehner.
2006: Re-elected to Congress
In 2006, Mike Pence was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
2007: End of Term Charing Republican Study Committee
In 2007, Mike Pence's term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee ended.
2007: End of Term as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee
In 2007, Mike Pence's term as chairman of the Republican Study Committee ended.
2008: Re-elected to Congress
In 2008, Mike Pence was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
January 2009: Elected as Republican Conference Chairman
In January 2009, Mike Pence was elected as the Republican Conference chairman.
2009: Chaired House Republican Conference
In 2009, Mike Pence became the chairman of the House Republican Conference.
2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was enacted, which Pence had voted against while a congressman. In 2014, Pence supported the Indiana Gateway project which was paid for by the Act.
2009: Belief in Creation
In 2009, when asked if he believed in evolution, Mike Pence stated "I believe with all my heart that God created the heavens and the earth, the seas and all that is in them."
September 2010: Top Choice in Values Voter Summit Straw Poll
In September 2010, Mike Pence was the top choice for president in a straw poll conducted by the Values Voter Summit.
2010: Re-elected to Congress
In 2010, Mike Pence was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
2010: AAA Credit Ratings Maintained
Since 2010, before Pence took office, Indiana had AAA credit ratings with the three major credit-rating agencies, and these ratings were maintained throughout Pence's tenure as governor.
May 2011: Announced Candidacy for Governor of Indiana
In May 2011, Mike Pence announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana in 2012.
2011: End of Term Charing House Republican Conference
In 2011, Mike Pence's term as chairman of the House Republican Conference ended.
2012: Mentioned as Possible Presidential Candidate
In 2008 and 2012, Mike Pence was mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for president.
2012: Elected Governor of Indiana
In 2012, Mike Pence was elected as the governor of Indiana.
January 14, 2013: Sworn in as Governor of Indiana
On January 14, 2013, Mike Pence was sworn in as the 50th governor of Indiana.
June 12, 2013: Veto Override on Local Tax Bill
On June 12, 2013, the Indiana Legislature overrode Governor Pence's veto of a bill to retroactively authorize a local tax. The bill, addressing the Jackson-Pulaski tax fix, allowed the county to retain money from a 15-year-old county income tax that had not been properly reduced, instead of returning it to taxpayers.
June 2013: Criticism for Deleting Facebook Comments
In June 2013, Mike Pence was criticized and apologized for deleting comments posted on his official government Facebook page.
2013: Became Governor of Indiana
In 2013, Mike Pence became the 50th Governor of Indiana.
2013: Tax Reform and Income Tax Cut
In 2013, Mike Pence prioritized tax reform, specifically a ten percent income-tax rate cut. Although the ten percent cut was not achieved, state taxes were cut, including a five percent income tax reduction and the elimination of the inheritance tax. This legislative package was considered the "largest tax cut in our state's history, about $1.1 billion dollars".
2013: Signed Law Blocking Local Governments From Requiring Higher Wages
In 2013, Mike Pence signed a law blocking local governments in Indiana from requiring businesses to offer higher wages or benefits beyond those required by federal law.
2013: End of Term in the House of Representatives
In 2013, Mike Pence's service in the U.S. House of Representatives concluded.
2013: Departure from Owning a Residence in Indiana
In 2013, Pence no longer owned a permanent residence in Indiana, before moving to the governor's mansion and then the vice president's residence in Washington.
2013: Increased School Voucher Program
In 2013, Pence signed legislation into law that greatly increased the number of students in Indiana who qualify for school vouchers, making it one of the largest voucher programs in the United States.
2014: Establishment of State Preschool Pilot Program
In 2014, Pence helped establish a $10-million state preschool pilot program in Indiana, personally testifying before the state Senate Education Committee to secure its approval. Pence successfully managed to revive it, "getting Indiana off the list of just 10 states that spent no direct funds to help poor children attend preschool".
2014: Firearms Allowed in Vehicles on School Property
In 2014, Pence signed a bill allowing firearms to be kept in vehicles on school property, over the opposition of Indiana school organizations.
2014: Support for Indiana Gateway Project
In 2014, Pence supported the Indiana Gateway project, a $71.4 million passenger and freight rail improvement initiative funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
2014: Repeal of Common Core State Standards
In his 2014 State of the State address, Pence called for the repeal of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. The Indiana General Assembly subsequently passed a bill to repeal the standards, making Indiana the first state to do so.
January 2015: Balanced Budget Amendment Proposal
In January 2015, as governor, Pence proposed a balanced budget amendment to the state's constitution during his State of the State address. The legislation subsequently passed the state Senate.
January 26, 2015: Plans for State-Run News Service
On January 26, 2015, reports surfaced that Mike Pence planned to launch "JustIN", a state-run, taxpayer-funded news service for Indiana, drawing criticism for potential bias and redundancy.
March 2015: Approval of Needle Exchanges
In March 2015, well after the HIV outbreak began, Pence finally allowed at least five counties to open needle exchanges, but did not move to lift the state ban on funding for needle exchanges.
March 26, 2015: Signing of Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act
On March 26, 2015, Mike Pence signed Indiana Senate Bill 101, known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), into law, leading to praise from religious conservatives and criticism from those fearing LGBT discrimination. Several organizations and businesses spoke out against the law, with some halting expansion plans in the state, while thousands protested the policy.
March 31, 2015: Defense of Indiana's Religious Freedom Law
On March 31, 2015, Mike Pence defended Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, stating it was not about discrimination and that he would veto any bill legalizing discrimination.
April 2, 2015: Revision of Indiana's Religious Freedom Law
On April 2, 2015, Mike Pence signed legislation revising Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to protect against potential discrimination, following backlash against the original law.
May 2015: Bill Stripping Authority from Glenda Ritz
In May 2015, Pence signed a bill stripping Glenda Ritz of much of her authority over standardized testing and other education issues, reconstituting the State Board of Education dominated by Pence appointees.
May 2015: Senate Bill 98 Signed into Law
In May 2015, Pence signed into law Senate Bill 98, which limited lawsuits against gun and ammunition manufacturers and sellers and retroactively terminated the City of Gary's still-pending 1999 lawsuit against gun manufacturers and retailers that allegedly made illegal sales of handguns.
October 2015: Plans to Pay Off Federal Loan
In October 2015, Pence announced plans to pay off a $250 million federal loan to cover unemployment insurance payments that had increased during the recession.
December 2015: Pence's statement on Banning Muslims
In December 2015, Mike Pence said that "calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. are offensive and unconstitutional".
2015: Signed Repeal of Prevailing Wage Law
In 2015, Mike Pence also signed the repeal of an Indiana law that required construction companies working on publicly funded projects to pay a prevailing wage.
2015: Medicaid Expansion Agreement
In 2015, Pence and the Obama administration agreed to expand Medicaid in Indiana, called the Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. The plan included co-payments by participants linked to healthy behaviors.
2015: Increase in Charter School Funding
In 2015, Pence secured significant increases in charter-school funding, although he did not get everything he had proposed.
2015: Opposition to EPA's Clean Power Plan
In 2015, Pence sent a letter to President Obama denouncing the EPA's Clean Power Plan and stating that Indiana would refuse to comply with the plan.
February 2016: Federal Judge Ruled Against Pence's Order to Cut off Federal Funds
In February 2016, a federal judge ruled that Mike Pence's order to cut off federal funds for a local non-profit refugee resettlement agency was unconstitutional; Pence unsuccessfully appealed.
March 2016: Signing of Indiana H.B. 1337
In March 2016, Mike Pence, as Indiana governor, signed H.B. 1337 into law, banning certain abortion procedures based on the fetus' race, gender, or fetal abnormality, and requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated.
March 2016: Road-Funding Package Signed
In March 2016, Pence signed legislation to fund a $230 million two-year road-funding package.
May 3, 2016: Unopposed in Republican Primary
On May 3, 2016, Mike Pence ran unopposed in the Republican primary for a second term as governor of Indiana.
July 15, 2016: Pence Ends Gubernatorial Campaign
On July 15, 2016, Mike Pence ended his campaign for governor after Donald Trump selected him as his vice presidential running mate.
October 7, 2016: Response to Trump's Lewd Comments
On October 7, 2016, Mike Pence stated he did not condone Donald Trump's lewd comments but would stand by him and declined to attend a joint campaign event, advising Trump to handle the situation himself.
October 10, 2016: Pence Denies Rumors of Leaving Republican Ticket
On October 10, 2016, Mike Pence denied rumors that he considered dropping off the Republican ticket, affirming his commitment to being Donald Trump's running mate.
October 2016: Vice Presidential Debate Preparations and Performance
During October 2016, Mike Pence prepared for the vice presidential debate with Scott Walker playing Tim Kaine, and following the debate, experts concluded Pence won against Kaine.
November 8, 2016: Election as Vice President
On November 8, 2016, Mike Pence was elected Vice President of the United States as Donald Trump's running mate.
2016: Won the 2016 presidential election
In 2016, Donald Trump and Mike Pence won the presidential election, making Pence the Vice President-elect.
2016: Endorsements in 2016 Presidential Primary
In 2016, Mike Pence endorsed Ted Cruz before the Indiana Republican presidential primary and later endorsed Donald Trump after he became the party's presumptive nominee.
2016: Defiance of EPA Rule
In 2016, Pence said that even if legal challenges failed, Indiana would continue to defy the EPA rule and would not come up with its own plan to reduce emissions.
2016: Legalization of Captive Deer Hunting
In 2016, Pence signed Senate Bill 109 into law, legalizing the captive hunting of farm-raised deer.
2016: School Voucher Program Cost
The annual cost of Indiana's School Voucher Program was estimated to be $53 million for the 2015–2016 school year.
January 20, 2017: Inauguration as Vice President
On January 20, 2017, Mike Pence was sworn in as the 48th Vice President of the United States.
January 22, 2017: Oath of Office to White House Staff
On January 22, 2017, Mike Pence administered the oath of office to the White House senior staff.
February 5, 2017: Warning to Iran
On February 5, 2017, Mike Pence warned Iran "not to test the resolve" of the new Trump administration following their ballistic missile tests.
February 7, 2017: Tie-Breaking Vote for Betsy DeVos
On February 7, 2017, Mike Pence cast his first tie-breaking vote as Vice President to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education.
May 2017: Pence forms Great America Committee PAC.
In May 2017, Mike Pence filed paperwork to form Great America Committee, a political action committee. Pence is the only vice president to have started his own PAC while still in office.
May 21, 2017: Commencement Address at Notre Dame
On May 21, 2017, Mike Pence delivered the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.
June 30, 2017: Appointment as Chair of National Space Council
On June 30, 2017, Mike Pence was appointed chair of the National Space Council after Donald Trump signed an executive order reestablishing the council.
2017: Became Vice President of the United States
In 2017, Mike Pence became the 48th Vice President of the United States, serving under President Donald Trump.
2017: Chaired the National Space Council
In 2017, as Vice President, Mike Pence chaired the National Space Council after its reestablishment.
2017: State Board of Education Chairman Appointment
Starting in 2017, the bill signed by Pence allowed the State Board of Education to appoint a chairman other than the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
February 1, 2018: Pence to lead presidential delegation to 2018 Winter Olympics.
On February 1, 2018, it was announced that Mike Pence would lead the U.S. presidential delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang alongside his wife.
April 2018: H.B. 1337 Ruled Unconstitutional
In April 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled H.B. 1337, the abortion bill signed by Mike Pence in March 2016, unconstitutional.
2018: Potential Replacement of Trump on Republican Ticket
According to Bob Woodward's 2018 book, Fear, Reince Priebus suggested to Donald Trump that he drop out of the presidential race and be replaced by Mike Pence, with Condoleezza Rice as Pence's running mate.
2018: Tie-Breaking Vote to Confirm Jonathan A. Kobes
In 2018, Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking vote to confirm Jonathan A. Kobes for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
2018: Greg Pence Enters Congress
In 2018, Pence's oldest brother, Greg, entered and won the political race to represent Indiana's 6th congressional district in Congress.
June 2019: Suggestion to Replace Pence as Trump's Running Mate.
In June 2019, it was suggested that Trump replace Pence as his running mate with Nikki Haley to improve re-election chances; however, Trump affirmed that Pence would remain his running mate.
February 26, 2020: Pence named leader of White House Coronavirus Task Force.
On February 26, 2020, President Trump appointed Mike Pence as the leader of the White House Coronavirus Task Force to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
October 7, 2020: Pence Participates in Vice Presidential Debate with Kamala Harris.
On October 7, 2020, Mike Pence debated Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City, Utah, with COVID-19 precautions in place. Media outlets noted that a fly landed on Pence's head for almost two minutes during the debate.
November 7, 2020: Biden and Harris Declared Winners of the Election.
On November 7, 2020, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were declared the winners of the election by major news networks, though Trump refused to concede and made unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
2020: Chair of National Space Council
From 2017 to 2020, Mike Pence held eight meetings as chair of the National Space Council.
2020: Appointment to Head Coronavirus Response
In 2020, President Trump appointed Pence to head the country's response to coronavirus, touting his ostensible experience with quelling an epidemic of HIV in Indiana, even though Pence deliberately delayed his state government's response to the disease.
2020: Chaired White House Coronavirus Task Force
In early 2020, Mike Pence chaired the White House Coronavirus Task Force in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
January 6, 2021: Oversaw Certification of 2020 Election Results
On January 6, 2021, despite pressure from President Trump, Mike Pence oversaw the certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the winners of the 2020 presidential election.
February 2021: Pence Joins The Heritage Foundation and Young America's Foundation
In February 2021, Pence joined The Heritage Foundation as a distinguished visiting fellow and the Young America's Foundation, planning to launch a new podcast.
March 2021: Pence Narrates "Age of Rush" Television Series
In March 2021, Pence narrated a four-part television series on Rush Limbaugh titled Age of Rush, which debuted on Fox Nation.
April 2021: Pence Signs Book Deal with Simon & Schuster
In April 2021, Pence signed a deal with publisher Simon & Schuster for two books, including an autobiography.
2021: Corporate Income Tax Reduction
By 2021, the state corporate income tax was scheduled to drop from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent, making it the second-lowest corporate income tax in the nation. The law also permitted Indiana counties to eliminate the business personal property tax on new equipment and let them exempt small businesses with less than $20,000 worth of equipment from paying personal property taxes.
2021: End of term as Vice President
In 2021, Mike Pence's term as Vice President of the United States concluded.
May 2022: Pence Considering Presidential Run
In May 2022, The New York Times reported that Pence was considering a presidential run regardless of whether Trump decided to run for a second term.
July 2022: Pence Appears in Documentary
In July 2022, Pence appeared in the documentary "Unprecedented."
October 2022: Pence Condemns "Unprincipled Populism"
In October 2022, Pence condemned "unprincipled populism" and "Putin apologists" within the Republican Party.
2022: Pence Endorses Candidates Against Trump's Choices
In 2022, Pence separated himself from Trump by endorsing candidates in several Republican primary elections in opposition to the candidate endorsed by Trump in Georgia and Arizona.
April 27, 2023: Pence Testifies Before Grand Jury
On April 27, 2023, Pence testified before a grand jury, stating, "We'll obey the law, we'll tell the truth."
June 5, 2023: Pence Launches Presidential Bid
On June 5, 2023, Pence filed paperwork and officially launched his bid for the presidency.
June 2023: Launched 2024 Presidential Campaign
In June 2023, Mike Pence launched his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
October 28, 2023: Pence Withdraws from Presidential Race
On October 28, 2023, Pence, due to weak fundraising and poll numbers, withdrew from the presidential race.
March 15, 2024: Pence Announces He Will Not Endorse Trump or Biden
On March 15, 2024, Pence announced that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
August 9, 2024: Pence Reiterates No Endorsement
On August 9, 2024, Pence reiterated that he would not endorse Trump, nor would he support Kamala Harris after Biden withdrew from the race.
September 2024: Pence Begins Teaching at Grove City College
In September 2024, Pence began teaching seminar and lecture courses in political science at Grove City College, being named its first Distinguished Fellow for Faith and Public Life.
October 2024: Pence Supports Acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel
In October 2024, Pence expressed support for the acquisition of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel, arguing it would prevent the world from becoming more reliant on steel exports from China.
2024: Pence Criticizes GOP Stance on Abortion
Ahead of the RNC in 2024, Pence released a statement condemning the new GOP stance on abortion, which echoed Trump's position that the issue should be determined by individual states, describing this shift as a "profound disappointment".
2024: Withdrew 2024 Presidential Campaign
By the end of October 2023, Mike Pence withdrew from his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
2024: Pence Presidential Campaign Outlook
In 2024, there was a widespread view among both Republican leaders and grassroots Republicans that "Pence is dead in the early waters of 2024."
January 2025: Biden Blocks U.S. Steel Acquisition Supported by Pence
In January 2025, President Biden blocked the purchase of U.S. Steel, an acquisition Pence supported in October of the previous year.
January 16, 2025: Pence Urges Support for Taiwan in Taipei Speech
On January 16, 2025, speaking in Taipei, Pence urged President-elect Trump to avert a nuclear arms race by continuing to support an independent Taiwan as a key Asian ally.
January 20, 2025: Pence Attends Trump's Second Inauguration
On January 20, 2025, Pence attended Trump's second inauguration as a former vice president.
