Challenges Faced by Mike Pence: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Mike Pence. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Michael Richard Pence is an American politician and lawyer. He was the 48th Vice President of the United States under President Donald Trump, serving from 2017 to 2021. A Republican, he previously served as the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017. Prior to his governorship, Pence represented Indiana in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013. His career has been marked by a consistent conservative stance on various political and social issues.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1988: Lost Congressional Bid

In 1988, Mike Pence ran for Congress against Democratic incumbent Philip Sharp but was unsuccessful in his bid.

1990: Second Unsuccessful House Bid

In 1990, Mike Pence made a second attempt to win a seat in the House of Representatives but was again unsuccessful.

1990: Second Unsuccessful Congressional Run

In 1990, Mike Pence ran against Philip Sharp again for Congress, quitting his job to focus on the campaign, but lost again.

June 12, 2013: Legislature Overrides Pence's Veto

On June 12, 2013, the Indiana Legislature overrode Governor Pence's veto of a bill related to a local tax authorization. The veto override occurred with a 68-23 vote in the House and a 34-12 vote in the Senate, with most Republican legislators voting against Pence's veto.

2013: Defunding Planned Parenthood

In 2013, the Republican-controlled legislature and Governor Pence defunded Planned Parenthood, resulting in Scott County being without an HIV testing center since 2013.

December 2014: HIV Outbreak

Beginning in December 2014, Southern Indiana experienced an HIV outbreak.

2014: Slow Economic Growth in Indiana

In 2014, Indiana's economy experienced one of the slowest growth rates in the United States, with a GDP growth of 0.4 percent compared to the national average of 2.2 percent, partially attributed to a sluggish manufacturing sector.

March 2015: Needle Exchanges Approved

In March 2015, well after the HIV outbreak began, Governor Pence allowed at least five counties to open needle exchanges, but he did not lift the state ban on funding for needle exchanges.

May 2015: Bill Signed Stripping Ritz of Authority

In May 2015, Governor Pence signed a bill that stripped Glenda Ritz, the Indiana superintendent of public instruction, of much of her authority over standardized testing and other education issues. The bill also reconstituted the State Board of Education, dominated by Pence appointees.

August 2016: Incentives Paid to Companies that Sent Jobs Abroad

By August 2016, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, led by Mike Pence, had paid out $8.7 million in incentives to ten companies who sent jobs abroad, despite having approved $24 million in such incentives.

2016: Continued Defiance of EPA Rule

In 2016, Governor Pence stated that Indiana would continue to defy the EPA's Clean Power Plan, even if legal challenges failed, and would not create its own plan to reduce emissions.

2016: Diagnosis of Left Bundle Branch Block

In 2016, Mike Pence was diagnosed with asymptomatic left bundle branch block.

2017: Healthy Indiana Renewal Application

In early 2017, Indiana submitted its application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to renew Healthy Indiana, the state's expanded Medicaid program. There were concerns that the application used "misleading and inaccurate information".

October 2018: Pence's Speech on China at the Hudson Institute

In October 2018, Mike Pence delivered a speech at the Hudson Institute, accusing China of predatory economic practices, military aggression, and attempting to undermine President Trump. He also alleged Chinese interference in U.S. elections and human rights abuses. The New York Times described the speech as a declaration of a new Cold War.

February 26, 2020: Pence Leads White House Coronavirus Task Force

On February 26, 2020, President Trump appointed Mike Pence to lead the White House Coronavirus Task Force to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. As leader, Pence coordinated efforts across multiple government agencies.

June 2020: Pence's Misleading Claims About Coronavirus Pandemic

In late June 2020, Mike Pence gave a press briefing with optimistic but misleading claims about the state of the coronavirus pandemic. He argued that case surges were due to increased testing, despite evidence to the contrary, and falsely claimed declining fatalities and that all states were opening up.

November 7, 2020: Biden and Harris declared winners of the election

On November 7, 2020, major news networks declared Biden and Harris the winners of the election after several days of vote counting. Trump refused to concede, insisting he had won.

December 2020: Lawsuit filed against Pence to overturn election

In December 2020, a federal lawsuit was filed against Pence by Republican congressman Louie Gohmert and others, seeking to grant Pence the power to reject state-certified presidential electors in order to overturn Biden's victory. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

2020: Appointment to Coronavirus Response

In 2020, President Trump appointed Mike Pence to lead the country's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Trump cited Pence's ostensible experience with managing an HIV epidemic in Indiana, despite the criticism of Pence's delayed response.

2020: Lost Re-election Bid

In the 2020 presidential election, Mike Pence and Donald Trump lost their bid for re-election to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

2020: Trump's rally and the Capitol storming

On January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 election results, Trump held a rally in 2020 urging listeners to go to the Capitol, expressing hope Pence would "do the right thing". Many listeners then marched to and stormed the Capitol.

January 6, 2021: Oversaw Certification of Election Results

On January 6, 2021, despite pressure from President Trump to overturn the election results, Mike Pence oversaw the certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the winners of the 2020 presidential election.

January 2021: Trump pressures Pence to overturn election

In January 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn the election results during the January 6 congressional joint session. Pence maintained that the Constitution did not grant him that power.

January 2023: Classified documents found at Pence's home

In January 2023, after classified documents were found at Biden's home, Pence asked his lawyer to search his home, leading to the discovery of classified documents which were then turned over to the FBI. The FBI searched his home on February 10.