CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — Vice President Mike Pence is set to take the stage against Democratic opponent Sen. Kamala Harris in Utah Wednesday night for the first and only vice presidential debate ahead of next month’s election.
But who is he? Here are some fast facts and background about the current Vice President:
🔴 Pence was previously the 50th governor of Indiana.
🔴 Pence is the 48th and current vice president of the United States.
🔴 Pence was a six term Indiana congressman.
Pence was born on June 7, 1959, in Columbus, Indiana to Edward and Nancy Pence. Pence was one of six children. His parents owned a convenience store business. In his White House biography, Pence said he “was raised to believe in the importance of hard work, faith, and family.” Pence has cited his Catholic upbringing as a major force in his life.
Pence attended Hanover College then attended Indiana University School of Law where he met his future wife Karen Pence.
After graduation Pence practiced law while leading the Indiana Policy Review Foundation. He also hosted the Mike Pence Show, a syndicated talk radio show and television public affairs’ program.
Pence first ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House of Representatives in 1988 and 1990.
Pence ran again for public office in 2000 for a seat in the House of Representatives. Pence represented two districts in Indiana from 2001 to 2013. He served as a member for Indiana’s 2nd district from 2001 — 2003 then represented Indiana’s 6th district from 2003-2012.
During his time in the House of Representatives, he served as the Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee and House Republican Conference Chairman. In 2007, Pence sponsored one of the first bills in Congress to strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding. In 2011, he voted “yes” on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion. In 2011, Pence co-sponsored Parental Rights Amendment to constitutional guarantee parent’s right to educate kids.
Pence then was elected as the Governor of Indiana in 2013 until 2017. In 2015, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was met with backlash from members of LGBT rights groups and the business community. While in office, he enacted the largest income tax cut in Indiana history. He signed a bill in 2016 that would prevent women from getting an abortion based on the sex, disability or race of the fetus.
Pence is the father of three children, Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey.
Pence has repeatedly said he’s first “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order.”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 31: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence speaks during a press conference March 31, 2015 at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pence spoke about the state’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act which has been condemned by business leaders and Democrats. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 20: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stands with Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence and acknowledge the crowd on the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party’s nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 
US Vice President Mike Pence speaks about the creation of a new branch of the military, Space Force, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on August 9, 2018. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) 
ARLINGTON, VA – AUGUST 09: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announces the Trump Administration’s plan to create the U.S. Space Force by 2020 during a speech at the Pentagon August 9, 2018 in Arlington, Virginia. Describing space as adversarial and crowded and citing threats from China and Russia, Pence said the new Space Force would be a separate, sixth branch of the military. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) 
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence stand together during a homecoming campaign rally at the BB&T Center on November 26, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. President Trump continues to campaign for re-election in the 2020 presidential race. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (L) and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (R) greet each other during a 9/11 memorial service at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2020 in New York City. The ceremony to remember those who were killed in the terror attacks 19 years ago will be altered this year in order to adhere to safety precautions around COVID-19 transmission. (Photo by Amr Alfiky – Pool/Getty Images) 
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – SEPTEMBER 25: Vice President Mike Pence waves after speaking during a campaign rally at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport on September 25, 2020 in Newport News, Virginia. President Trump is scheduled to announce his nomination to the Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Saturday afternoon at the White House. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) 
ANKARA, TURKEY – OCTOBER 17: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence holds a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara on October 17, 2019 in Ankara, Turkey. After leading a delegation to press Turkish officials on the recent military campaign in Northern Syria, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has recently announced that Turkey has agreed to a ceasefire to enable Kurdish-led forces to withdraw. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)
Trump selected Pence to be his running mate in July 2016.
In his time as Vice President, Pence has been a tie breaker in 13 votes in the U.S. Senate including the nomination of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
Pence is the Chairman of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Pence has taken a lead rule in the Trump reelection campaign since the president tested positive for coronavirus. Pence said earlier in the week that he was cleared for travel.
Some of Pence’s policy positions:
Healthcare:
- In 2017, Pence cast the tiebreaking vote to defund Planned Parenthood. In 2011, he voted “yes” on banning federal health coverage that includes abortion.
Guns:
- Pence has supported gun rights consistently. In 2018, Pence said he was a card-carrying member of the NRA. In both 2020 and 2016, the NRA-PVR endorsed the Trump-Pence campaign.
Climate:
- Pence has refused to say whether he views climate change as a threat to America, however, the Trump administration has attempted to roll back more than 100 environmental laws.
Energy and Oil:
- In 2011, Pence co-sponsored the Free Industry Act to prevent EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. Pence also signed the “No Climate Tax” pledge by AFP.
Marijuana:
- When asked in 2014 if he would consider legalizing recreational use of marijuana for the tax benefit, Pence said no and he does not support the legislation of marijuana.
