Donald Trump has chosen Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, CBS News reports.
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Pence is running for re-election, but IN law prevents him from seeking two offices at once.
The Pence campaign has all the paperwork prepared and ready to file in order to meet the deadline in case he is tapped by Trump.
Adding intrigue to the day, Pence’s deputy campaign manager, Marc Lotter, was spotted at Indianapolis airport Thursday waiting to board a flight to New York City.
Pence is a favorite of Gov. Gary Herbert, the outgoing head of the National Governors Association, and his opinion carries a lot of weight with Utahns, pollster Dan Jones said.
Trump’s shortlist included New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, according to people familiar with the candidate’s thinking. “He walked out of that [Wednesday} meeting and told his people: ‘It’s us'”.
Ryan told reporters Thursday: “I hope that he picks a good movement conservative”. The 73-year-old would be the oldest candidate ever to become vice president.
Trump was making his final decision from California, where he is scheduled to attend a series of fundraisers at a distance from many of his closest advisers. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) in Indianapolis Wednesday.
Pence met with Trump several times over the last few days, including again on Wednesday. As governor, he faced major political backlash over his decision to sign into law a “religious freedom” measure that infuriated major businesses that saw it as anti-LGBT.
Trump’s choice of running mate is seen as critical because his defeat of 16 rivals in the Republican primary race left the party divided and some party leaders are still uneasy about some of his campaign positions, and his style.
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“IndyStar has confirmed that Trump will announce Pence as his selection for vice president, ending a weeks-long vice presidential casting call during which Trump vetted a handful of high-profile Republicans”.
