By Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal
For The Republic
Former Vice President Mike Pence returned to his roots at a campaign fundraiser Wednesday, hyping up his hometown and his presidential aspirations.
Pence, one of 13 major declared candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2024, was the guest of honor at a Wednesday evening campaign reception held at the Factory 12 Event Loft in Columbus. The reception was hosted by his brother, Rep. Greg Pence, R-Indiana. It was $25 an entry for general reception attendees, $100 for sponsors and $500 for co-hosts, while the VIP reception was $3,300 for hosts, according to an event details post.
“It’s very humbling and good to have a chance to come home and also thank people for the opportunities that they’ve given me over the years,” Pence said. “I loved being elected to Congress from Columbus, being elected governor. Everything begins for me in Columbus.”
Pence’s Columbus visit comes hours after he addressed the National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit, the country’s largest annual gathering of state lawmakers, in downtown Indianapolis. During his speech there, which came only days after Former President Donald Trump was indicted in Georgia in connection to alleged election interference in the 2020 election, Pence said the election was not stolen and that he had no right to overturn it, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
He also criticized the handling of Trump’s alleged actions, and criticized the federal justice system as being “politicized.” Pence told the summit that Democrats in Washington, D.C., have been engaged in a pursuit of the former president, but looking away from Hillary Clinton and Hunter Biden — undermining confidence in equal treatment under the law, the Capital Chronicle reported.
Back in his hometown of Columbus on Wednesday, Pence did not say much about his former running mate. Instead, the former vice president, Indiana governor and congressman spoke about his family, his time in Columbus and his plans for America.
Pence spoke highly of his mother, Nancy, who he says gave him his start in politics. The opportunities and support he’s had from not only his family but his community, got him to where he is today, he said.
“Everything I am, everything I will ever be, all began here in Columbus, Indiana,” he said.
For the complete story and more photos, see Friday’s Republic.
