Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) filed paperwork to run for president Monday, ending months of speculation he would take on his one-time running mate, former President Donald Trump—but Pence faces an uphill battle in the growing GOP field and is currently polling in the low single digits.
Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's Roast and Ride, Saturday, June ... [+]
Pence declared his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission Monday ahead of an anticipated announcement Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa.
Pence, the former governor of Indiana, has raised the possibility of running for president as he’s traveled the country promoting his memoir, So Help Me God, and recently gained the backing of a new super-PAC run by one-time Trump allies, “Committed to America.”
Pence joins at least six other confirmed GOP candidates vying for the party’s 2024 nomination, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.).
The former vice president and staunch conservative has an uphill battle to eclipse early frontrunners Trump and DeSantis, as Pence is currently polling at 5% in a hypothetical GOP primary matchup, while Trump leads with 54% and DeSantis is in second at 21%, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average.
Pence is one of at least two additional GOP candidates expected to join the growing field challenging Trump this week. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is also widely expected to announce his candidacy on Tuesday and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will make an announcement Wednesday about his political future after teasing a run for the White House.
This is a developing story and will be updated.