U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) announced on Thursday that he would not enter the 2012 presidential election despite being encouraged for months to do so by social conservatives across the nation. Instead Pence is debating on whether he will run for governor of Indiana. Many leading Republicans believe that Pence may be the only major candidate to seek the nomination if he decides to enter next year’s race to replace GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels in Indiana who is not eligible for a third term. Pence sent out a letter to supporters on Thursday and did not mention the governor’s race specifically but stated he wanted "to serve the people of Indiana in some way." "In the months ahead, as we attend to our duties in Congress, we will also be traveling across the state to listen and learn about how Hoosiers think we might best contribute in the years ahead," Pence said. "After taking time to listen to Hoosiers, we will make a decision later this year about what role we will seek to play."
Pence is now embarking on a listening tour around Indiana in order to decide whether to run for governor. It is believed that Pence might be waiting to announce a decision on a gubernatorial bid out of respect for Daniels, a potential GOP presidential hopeful who has said he wouldn’t make any political announcements until the Legislature’s session ends in late April and encouraged others to show the same amount of restraint.
State Republican Party Chairman Eric Holcomb said in a statement that Indiana is fortunate to be the home of GOP "rising stars" such as Pence. "Mike’s been a strong voice in Congress and has always proposed common sense approaches to the problems that face our nation," he said. "He will no doubt continue to play a vital role in that conversation as he decides what future service he might offer his state." The congressman’s future has been a topic of debate since he resigned from the No. 3 GOP House leadership slot after easily winning in November for a sixth term from his eastern Indiana district. Pence finished first in a straw poll of social conservatives who were asked to name the person they’d like to see as the 2012 nominee.
