Pence all the way

Last week, Rep. Mike Pence, R-6th District, e-mailed supporters to tell them that he would not seek the Republican nomination for president. In the letter, Pence strongly hinted that he would instead seek the nomination to become the next governor of Indiana.

Gov. Mitch Daniels is ineligible due to term limits, and many have suggested his name as a potential Republican challenger to President Obama. Daniels’ Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, who was at one time considered a potential candidate for governor, ruled out a run of her own in December citing “minor health issues.”

While Pence has been an exciting prospect for president within Indiana GOP circles, his name is not well-known nationwide, with only a 4 percent strongly favorable rating among Republicans.

The absence of both the governor and lieutenant governor from the list of GOP candidates makes Rep. Pence a frontrunner for the nomination. He would be an exciting candidate for the Indiana GOP, as his supporters include both Tea Party advocates and moderate Republicans.

Other possible candidates for the GOP nomination include state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett, Representative-elect Todd Rokita, state House Speaker Brian Bosma or state Senate President David Long.

While Pence’s nationwide name recognition might be lower than Sarah Palin’s or Mike Huckabee’s, it is light-years ahead of any of these other possible candidates for governor.

Nationwide name recognition might not seem like a factor in a governor’s race, but donations to campaigns aren’t limited to being within Indiana’s borders.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, clearly sees Pence’s gubernatorial potential and has reportedly been attempting to woo Pence into a bid for governor.

This breadth of support, especially within Indiana, means Rep. Pence could easily clinch the Republican nomination if he decides to run for governor.

On the Democratic side of the aisle, possible opponents to Pence include Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-2nd District, who just won a narrow victory against Tea Party candidate Jackie Walorski, and former Rep. Brad Ellsworth who lost a bid to become Indiana’s next senator.

When former Sen. Evan Bayh declared he was leaving Congress, many speculated it would be to attempt a return to the Indiana executive branch. But Bayh has ruled out a gubernatorial bid, in addition to another Hoosier Democratic icon, former Rep. Baron Hill, D-9th District.

At the end of the day, Indiana Democrats seem to be swimming upstream in search of a candidate for 2012 while Mike Pence cruises right by.