VP's Brother Is Frontrunner in Indiana GOP Race

Greg Pence is seeking brother's former House seat
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 8, 2018 12:13 AM CDT
Mike Pence's Brother Seeks His Former House Seat
Greg Pence talks about his congressional campaign during an interview in Columbus, Ind. Pence is running for the 6th Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Luke Messer.   (Mike Wolanin/The Republic via AP, File)

The brother of Vice President Mike Pence is hoping his famous name and backing from other top Republicans will lift him to victory Tuesday in an Indiana congressional primary against an entrepreneur who mostly self-funded his campaign. Columbus businessman Greg Pence has never held public office. Still, he's considered the frontrunner in the race because of younger brother Mike Pence, who represented the 6th District for a dozen years before becoming Indiana governor, the AP reports. His closest GOP rival is Muncie entrepreneur Jonathan Lamb, who has loaned his campaign around $800,000 in an effort to keep pace with Pence. Pence has raised $1.2 million and spent nearly $1 million as of mid-April, making it the most expensive race among Indiana's congressional districts.

The seat is open because Rep. Luke Messer is seeking the GOP nomination for US Senate. Lamb, 36, has criticized his opponent for relying on the Pence name and dodging debates. He said he has a hard time telling where Pence stands on issues, although both profess support for most of President Trump's agenda. Meanwhile, Pence has said his family name is a "good name" and that he prefers meeting voters instead of debating. Pence, 61, is a Marine veteran and owner of two antique malls. He once ran a now-bankrupt chain of Tobacco Road convenience stores. He has said he would focus on issues such as infrastructure, veterans' affairs, fixing the immigration system, and health care.

(More Indiana stories.)

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