Mike Pence (born June 7, 1959) is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana's 6th District (see map). He is a Republican. His first term in Congress began in January, 2001. The 6th District comprises all or portions of 19 counties in eastern Indiana, and was numbered as the 2nd District during his first term in Congress. Pence is one of the House's most ardent conservatives. He is the current chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative House Republicans. The RSC is the largest single component of the Republican caucus. Pence often describes himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order."
Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana. He graduated from Hanover College and Indiana University. He was a lawyer and radio talk show host before entering the House, and served as President of Indiana Policy Review, a state think tank. Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1986 and 1988, losing to longtime Democratic incumbent Phil Sharp. By 2000, however, the district had become much friendlier to Republicans, and Pence was handily elected after six-year incumbent David McIntosh opted to run for governor of Indiana. He was reelected in 2002 and 2004 with no significant opposition.
Mike Pence has been mentioned as a possible candidate for President in 2008.
