Highlights: Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence files his candidacy for the White House. The evangelical conservative will challenge former President Donald Trump. Mike Pence helped Donald Trump win over the religious right as a running mate during the 2016 presidential campaign. He joins an already full arena of Republican candidates, with a dozen contenders who, for now, are all far behind in the polls by the former president. The conservative will formalize Wednesday, June 7, the day of his 64th birthday, his entry into the race.

United States: Former Vice President Mike Pence files his candidacy for the White House

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence filed his bid for the White House on Monday, according to documents released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). This evangelical conservative will therefore challenge former President Donald Trump, of whom he was for four years the faithful vice-president, during the Republican primaries of 2024.

Republican presidential candidate and former Vice President Mike Pence, alongside his wife Karen Pence, speaks at an event in Des Moines, Iowa, June 3, 2023. © Dave Kaup / Reuters

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The conservative will formalize Wednesday, June 7, the day of his 64th birthday, his entry into the race with a video, then a meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, one of the first states to vote in the primaries. He will then end the day on a set of the CNN channel, according to his relatives.

He joins an already full arena of Republican candidates, with a dozen contenders who, for now, are all far behind in the polls by the former president.

An evangelical Christian and staunch opponent of abortion, Mike Pence helped Donald Trump win over the religious right as a running mate during the 2016 presidential campaign. After years of unwavering loyalty, the divorce was recorded between them during Mike Pence's refusal to support Donald Trump in his denunciation of the result of the 2020 presidential election, won by Democrat Joe Biden.

A divorce with Donald Trump formalized at the assault of the Capitol

The former Indiana governor has since distanced himself from the former president of the United States, blaming him for personally endangering him by encouraging the Capitol rioters on January 6, 2021 while he was with his family in the Congress building. On that day, Mike Pence, as vice president, led the session in Congress, during which elected officials had to certify Joe Biden's victory. Donald Trump had insisted that he refuse to validate the election of the Democrat, while Mike Pence had only a ceremonial role.

The former governor of Indiana had not complied, which earned him a strong enmity among supporters of the billionaire. Entering the Capitol by force, some had called to "hang" Mike Pence, who had to hide in haste.

He has since said the president's words were "irresponsible" and "endangered" him. Mike Pence had said at the Gridiron Dinner, a gala organized by journalists for prominent political figures, that history will hold Donald Trump "responsible".

The rift between the two men jeopardizes the chances of Mike Pence, whom many activists loyal to Donald Trump continue to consider a "traitor". The man with the wise white fuse peaks at around 3.8% of voting intentions, far behind the former president (53.2%), according to the average of the latest polls conducted by the site RealClearPolitics.

Mike Pence has been preparing his candidacy for months. After releasing a book called So Help Me God, the former radio host crisscrossed the country, multiplying speeches in states likely to make a difference in the Republican primaries.

A long list of Republican contenders

In addition to Donald Trump, Mike Pence adds his name to an already long list of contenders for the Republican nomination for 2024, who distance him: first by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (22.4%), who also relies on a very conservative speech but on a more offensive tone, as well as a hair by the former ambassador to the UN and former governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley (4.4%).

Senator Tim Scott is also in the race. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is expected to announce his candidacy on Wednesday, a person briefed on the plan said. Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey, plans to launch Tuesday.

(

With AFP & Reuters)

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United States: Former Vice President Mike Pence files his candidacy for the White House

United States: Former Vice President Mike Pence files his candidacy for the White House

A divorce with Donald Trump formalized at the assault of the Capitol

A long list of Republican contenders

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