Trump chooses Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as running mate

Hannah Williams, News Editor

In a tweet that confirmed widespread speculation, presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced Friday morning that he had chosen Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate.

Pence was chosen from a relatively short list of possibilities that included former House speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Gov. Pence is well known as a social conservative and spent 12 years in the House of Representatives before being elected as the governor of Indiana. He brings to the Trump campaign significant government experience, which is an important addition, for Trump has never held elected office.

Trump’s campaign hopes that Pence’s new role might help unite the Republican Party. Many far-right conservatives have questioned Trump’s stance on various social issues, and Pence’s strong anti-abortion and pro-religious liberty beliefs might soothe their doubts regarding a Trump presidency.

Pence hails from the Midwest, and Trump’s choice might, among other things, represent an attempt to pull in the swing states in that area. The Trump campaign has said that the Midwest is a key battleground in the election.

Presumptive Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton did not take long to respond to Trump’s announcement, calling Pence the “the most extreme pick in a generation” and stressing his stances on gay rights and abortion.

Clinton has not yet announced the identity of her running mate, but is expected to late next week. Possibilities include Virginia senator Tim Kaine, Ohio senator Sherrod Brown, and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, according to CNN.

Pence responded to Trump’s announcement with a tweet of his own, saying he was “honored” to join Trump.

However, Pence and Trump are not without their differences. After Trump made his controversial call for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, Pence tweeted that such a plan is “offensive and unconstitutional.” Additionally, Pence has voiced support for the war in Iraq, a war that Trump has denounced.

Trump had originally planned to unveil his pick for vice president at a press conference on Friday, but following the Thursday’s attack in Nice that killed more than 80 people, Trump postponed his press conference to Saturday morning.