Trump tweets he was ‘very impressed’ by Indiana Gov Pence
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump tweeted on Monday that was “very impressed” by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, whom he met with over the weekend as he contemplates potential vice presidential picks.
The billionaire businessman tweeted: “Spent time with Indiana Governor Mike Pence and family yesterday. Very impressed, great people!”
Pence’s spokesman Marc Lotter said Sunday that the two couples had a “warm, productive” meeting on Saturday before Pence returned to Indiana, but he said “nothing was offered.”
Trump and Pence discussed Pence’s policies during his term as governor, which began in 2013, Lotter said.
Asked whether Trump and Pence had discussed the possibility of Pence becoming Trump’s running mate, Lotter said “nothing was offered.” Lotter declined to discuss Pence’s level of interest in the position, echoing a comment from Pence last week that he did not want to comment on “a hypothetical.”
Lotter referred other questions to Trump’s campaign, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As Pence and his wife arrived for a concert Sunday night at Conner Prairie history park in Fishers, the governor again declined to discuss whether he was interested in the position. He reiterated his support for Trump’s candidacy and said the Trumps “couldn’t have been more kind and gracious” during the meeting.
Trump has never held public office and is considering a small group of political veterans as potential running mates.
People with direct knowledge of Trump’s vetting process say the list includes Pence, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions.
“The only people who are not interested in being the V.P. pick are the people who have not been asked!” Trump tweeted.
He also posted that he was going to meet with Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst. “She has done a great job as Senator of Iowa!” he tweeted.
In addition to serving as governor, Pence served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years.
He also at one time had his own presidential ambitions but last year ruled out a run after his popularity fell in the wake of criticism over his handling of the state’s religious objections law.