INDIANAPOLIS - If presidential candidate Donald Trump offers Indiana Gov. Mike Pence a spot on his ticket as vice president, Pence would have to decide quickly if he wants to forgo a gubernatorial re-election bid in favor of being Trump's right-hand man.
Indiana law prohibits candidates from running simultaneously for state and federal office. If Pence wants to run for the White House, he'll have to remove his name from the Indiana ballot by July 15 - the deadline for candidates to voluntarily withdraw. After that, only moving out of state, dying or being convicted of a felony can remove a candidate from the ballot.
The July 15 deadline falls between a Trump fundraiser scheduled for July 12 in Indiana and the GOP convention starting July 18 in Cleveland. Trump has said previously a vice president pick could be made prior to the convention.
Pence is reportedly on Trump's short list, which also includes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Pence's campaign spokesman Mark Lotter confirmed Friday that the governor will be "spending a little time with Mr. Trump" during the holiday weekend, but wouldn't specify what the meeting was about.
If Pence decides to run for vice president, it would be up to the 24-member GOP state committee to pick a replacement for the gubernatorial race. The Indiana Secretary of State's office said Sept. 19 would be the absolute latest anyone could be added to Indiana’s ballot.
Pence said in May he wasn’t interested in being a vice president candidate when rumors first popped up that he was being vetted by Trump’s campaign. He was asked about it again Thursday and deferred instead to the Trump campaign, adding he hadn’t talked to Trump since the May 3 primary, when Pence voted for Ted Cruz.
Pence is facing a re-election bid from Democrat John Gregg.
Polls have the race currently within the margin of error, with Pence in front by four percentage points.