Republican Strategists Establish Super PAC to Boost Mike Pence Expected Presidential Bid

The establishment of the PAC is considered a precursor to a formal campaign.

Republican Strategists Establish Super PAC to Boost Mike Pence Expected Presidential Bid
The move strongly suggests that Mike Pence would openly compete against former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images
  • The creation of the Committed to America PAC indicates Mike Pence's potential challenge
  • Mike Pence has been actively signaling his intention to run for president
  • The PAC aims to separate Pence's legacy from Trump's

A group of seasoned Republican strategists is starting a new super PAC to back former US Vice President Mike Pence's anticipated 2024 presidential bid.

This move strongly suggests that Mike Pence, who has not publicly declared a 2024 campaign, would openly clash with former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination. According to NPR, campaign-style trips to Iowa and New Hampshire have signaled Pence's intentions for months.

Former Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling and Scott Reed, who oversaw former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign, will serve as co-chairs of the newly established Committed to America PAC.

Hensarling said that Mike Pence is the conservative leader desired at this crucial moment and is qualified to lead. Hensarling also took delight in spearheading the drive to elect Mike Pence.

This group's creation clearly indicates Pence's campaign plan to set his legacy apart from Trump's.

Bobby Saparow, the PAC's executive director, ran Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's effective campaign in 2022. The PAC emphasized Kemp's decisive win against Trump's preferred candidate in that contest, underscoring the detachment from the influence of Donald Trump that Mike Pence wants.

Super PAC Advantages

Super PACs have traditionally supported voter mobilization initiatives, bought campaign commercials, and conducted research on policies and other candidates during presidential races.

According to CBS News, the Committed to America super PAC and the Never Back Down super PAC, which back Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' prospective 2024 presidential bid, want to increase their on-the-ground support for candidates. Donations to super PACs are limitless.

Despite Pence's trips to early voting states, early national presidential primary polls have not yet shown that he will win the GOP nomination and eventually the White House.

Mike Pence had just 5% support among probable GOP primary voters, according to a nationwide survey by CBS News conducted in late April. Fifty-seven percent said they would not vote for Pence, while 17% said they would.

However, the staff of the PAC thinks that Pence's experience as governor of Indiana, congressman, and vice president after the 2020 election would distinguish him from other contenders as a "committed constitutional conservative."

Initial Focus on Iowa

The establishment of the Committed to America PAC is considered a precursor to a formal campaign that strongly emphasizes winning Iowa, per a report from Politico.

Mike Pence, an ardent evangelical Christian, wants to build on the support base that helped Republican candidates win in Iowa in recent elections, including Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016 and former Sens. Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee in 2012.

Although none of these contenders eventually won the GOP nomination, Iowa is a key early state that has the potential to influence the dynamics of the presidential primary.

Mike Pence is receiving advice from Chip Saltsman, who oversaw Huckabee's successful Iowa win in 2008, on his approach in the early stages. Additionally, Mike Biundo, a citizen of New Hampshire and a veteran of nine presidential campaigns, including victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries, is being discussed by Pence's campaign.

Tags
Donald Trump, GOP, Republican, United States, Politics, Iowa, New Hampshire
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