Mike Pence is running for the Republican Party nomination for the 2024 presidential election in the United States. This announcement puts an end to speculation concerning the political future of the former vice-president, who thus challenges his former partner Donald Trump, who has also embarked on the race for the nomination.
An evangelical Christian and staunch opponent of abortion, Mike Pence helped Donald Trump win over the religious right by being his running mate during the 2016 presidential campaign. However, after the assault on the Capitol, which shook American democracy in January 2021, the relationship between the two men broke down. As vice-president, Mike Pence led the session in Congress, during which the elected officials certified the victory of Joe Biden in the presidential election of 2020. Although having only a ceremonial role, Donald Trump had insisted that he refuses to validate the election of the Democrat. The former governor of Indiana did not comply, which earned him strong enmity among the billionaire’s supporters.
However, Mike Pence has been preparing his candidacy for months. After releasing a book entitled “May God help me”, the former radio host criss-crossed the country, multiplying his speeches in states likely to make a difference in the Republican primaries. He joins an already crowded arena of Republican candidates, with a dozen contenders who, for the time being, are all well behind in the polls by the former president.
The split between the two men jeopardizes the chances of Mike Pence, whom many supporters loyal to Donald Trump continue to consider a “traitor”. However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also a candidate for the nomination, remains in a position to threaten the candidacy of Donald Trump, betting on a very conservative speech but on a more offensive tone.
The choice of Republican voters for the 2024 nomination will be crucial for the party, which must balance the policies of Donald Trump with those of a more moderate candidate to hope to win the presidential election against the likely Democratic incumbent, Joe Biden