Our vice president-elect’s dignified response to the recent Hamilton incident was a stark contrast to his running mate’s traditional conflict resolution methods. Pence was calm and composed; he praised the cast’s performance and showed the world he is capable of handling criticism. This calmness in the face of adversity is nothing new to Mike Pence – his long track record of resilience is what has helped mold him into the leader he is today.
Here are some interesting facts about Mike Pence:
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1. Education reform is a big deal to him
As governor of Indiana, Mike Pence has made significant strides for educational development at all levels. In 2014, he developed a pre-K pilot program called “On My Way Pre-K” that provided scholarships for almost 2,300 4-year-olds from low-income families that would allow them access to high-quality pre-K programs before entering kindergarten. He also fought for higher standards for Indiana schools, becoming one of the first state leaders to oppose Common Core. He instead advocated for a better, customized state education plan that was “written for Hoosiers, by Hoosiers,” that aimed at better equipping Indiana students to compete at the national level.
And his education advocacy doesn’t stop with the students. Pence implemented merit pay for good teachers, awarding $30 million in bonuses to teachers in over 1,000 schools with another $63 million in performance bonuses. He is a firm believer that initial investment in classroom resources will contribute to better quality education for students overall, and by extension is a promising investment for the state of Indiana.
2. He’s a master of the media
Pence has been praised for his communication skills and supreme ability to articulate his message. His confidence on the air can be attributed to his experience in talk radio at the beginning of his political career. “The Mike Pence Show” aired in the 1990s and featured weekly news discussion and his values as a conservative. He used his radio platform partially to challenge current major Republican leaders’ ideas as well as to call out the mainstream media’s biased coverage – two themes that we’re all familiar with after this election. He referred to himself as “Rush Limbaugh on decaf,” a characterization of his level-headedness that he carries with him today. His show was a hit, and he went on to host a Sunday morning political talk show from Indianapolis.
3. He was named one of Esquire Magazine’s top 10 members of Congress in 2008
Pence’s unwavering principality has been with him long before he was a prospect for the VP slot. Prior to his push for education funding as governor, which created tension with other members of his party, he was often at odds with others in Congress, including a clash with the 2007 fiscal policy initiative of the Bush administration. His famous quote, “I’m a Christian, conservative, and Republican – in that order,” could not be more true in regards to his unwillingness to neglect his core values and beliefs. Esquire Magazine awarded him a spot on their “Top 10 Members of Congress” in 2008, saying: “From immigration to earmarks, Pence is one of the most principled members, from either party, and his unalloyed traditional conservatism has repeatedly pitted him against his party elders.”
4. He’s a small town guy who was destined for big things
Born and raised in the cornfield that is Columbus, Indiana, Mike Pence grew up as one of six kids and had a gift for public speaking. He won his first speech award at age 12, and carried on to become a leader on his high school’s debate team; winning a national title for his speech praising the Constitution as “an able partner for we, the people.” He went on to complete his undergraduate degree at Hanover College, where he majored in history and was president of his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. Following his undergraduate years, he earned his law degree at Indiana University.
5. His colleagues love him
Pence’s reputation in and outside of the political arena is solid. He has always been well-respected and liked on Capitol Hill, and was elected as the House GOP’s Republican Conference chairman in 2008. Major GOP leaders such as Paul Ryan, were thrilled when he was selected as Trump’s running mate. Pence’s track record of strong leadership reassured other Republican voters of the ticket’s commitment to conservatism. Alabama Rep. Robert Aderholt said, “any reservations I had about Trump are completely alleviated now with Mike getting the VP nod.” Paul Ryan is also a huge supporter of Pence. After Trump announced his VP pick, Ryan said, “This is a man out of the conservative movement. This is a man who really does know his principles. This is a man who has the courage of his convictions.”
