Trump’s Vice Pres choice is Indiana Governor Mike Pence

NEW YORK – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has chosen Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate.

Trump made the announcement via social media Friday morning, saying “I am pleased to announce that I have chosen Governor Mike Pence as my Vice Presidential running mate.”

He is planning a formal news conference Saturday at 11:00 A.M., postponing that from Friday out of respect for victims of the terrorist attack Thursday night in France.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst was on Trump’s short list of choices, along with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Congressman Newt Gingrich.  After Trump’s announcement, Ernst said “Governor Pence is a great conservative with broad experience. I look forward to campaigning with him in Iowa as our Republican candidate for Vice President!”

Hillary Clinton said early Friday afternoon “Mike Pence: He’s Donald Trump with a different haircut” and listed all the issues the two men agree on.

According to a bio on the state of Indiana website:

Prior to being elected governor, Pence represented Indiana’s Sixth Congressional District in Congress.

First elected in 2000 and earning a sixth term in 2010, Pence brought his Hoosier sensibility to the table and quickly established a record of serving his constituents and championing fiscal responsibility, smaller government and economic growth—skills and values he has brought with him to state government.

Pence’s leadership and legislative accomplishments resulted in him being elected unanimously by his colleagues to serve as House Republican Conference Chairman and Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee.

A strong supporter of the military, Pence has made a priority of reducing veteran unemployment and, while in Congress, he visited Hoosier soldiers in Iraq and/or Afghanistan every year since hostilities began.

Pence was born and raised in Columbus, Indiana, graduated from Columbus North High School, went on to graduate from Hanover College in 1981 and earned his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law in 1986.

Governor Pence and First Lady Karen Pence have been married since 1985 and currently live in the Governor’s Residence. They have three adult children, Michael, Charlotte and Audrey.