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 who served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. A Republican, he was the 50th Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017. Prior to that, he served as a U.S. Representative for Indiana from 2001 to 2013.

Sections (6)

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

1988: Lost House Bid

In 1988, Pence unsuccessfully bid for a seat in the House of Representatives.

1990: Second Unsuccessful House Bid

In 1990, Pence ran for the House a second time but lost, leading him to quit his job to focus on the campaign.

2001: Opposed No Child Left Behind Act

In 2001, during his first year in office, Pence opposed President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act.

2003: Opposed Medicare Prescription Drug Expansion

In 2003, Pence opposed President Bush's Medicare prescription drug expansion.

2009: Discovery of Toxic Contamination in East Chicago

In 2009, parts of East Chicago were found to have toxic lead and arsenic contamination and were designated as a Superfund site.

June 12, 2013: Legislature Overrides Veto on Local Tax Bill

On June 12, 2013, the Indiana Legislature overrode Governor Pence's veto of a bill retroactively authorizing a local tax, known as the Jackson–Pulaski tax fix. The bill addressed a county income tax used to fund jail facilities, where a legally required tax reduction had not been implemented. Republican legislators largely voted against Pence, while most Democrats supported his veto.

December 2014: HIV Outbreak in Southern Indiana

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

2014: Indiana's economy was among the slowest-growing in the United States

In 2014, Indiana's economy was among the slowest-growing in the United States, with 0.4 percent GDP growth, compared to the national average of 2.2 percent; this was attributed in part to a sluggish manufacturing sector.

2014: Establishment of State Preschool Pilot Program

In 2014, Pence helped establish a $10 million state preschool pilot program in Indiana. He also testified before the state Senate Education Committee to convince fellow Republicans to approve the plan, successfully reviving it after initial defeat, addressing Indiana's status as one of the few states without direct funds for poor children's preschool. Demand for the program far exceeded capacity, and Pence initially declined to apply for federal funding due to concerns about federal intrusion, but later reversed course after facing criticism.

March 2015: Approval of Needle Exchanges

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

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

On November 7, 2020, major news networks declared Biden and Harris the winners of the election, leading to Trump's refusal to concede and insistence that he had won.

December 2020: Lawsuit filed against Pence to overturn election results

In December 2020, Republican congressman Louie Gohmert and others filed a federal lawsuit against Pence, seeking to grant him the power to reject state-certified presidential electors and overturn Biden's victory. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed due to lack of standing.

2020: Trump's rally and the storming of the Capitol

In 2020, on January 6, Trump held a rally urging listeners to go to the Capitol and expressed hope that Pence would "do the right thing", leading to many listeners marching to the Capitol and storming it.

January 6, 2021: Oversaw certification of Biden and Harris as election winners

Despite pressure from Trump 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.

January 2021: Trump pressures Pence to overturn the election

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

January 2023: Classified documents found at Pence's home

In January 2023, following the discovery of classified documents at President Biden's home, Pence asked his lawyer to search his home, leading to the discovery of classified documents which were turned over to the FBI. Pence took responsibility for the documents.