Pence attracts national media to fair

The following was originally published on July 9, 2016.

Despite a whirlwind week of vice presidential rumors, Indiana Governor Mike Pence offered a simple explanation for his return visit to the fairgrounds on Tuesday evening.

“I love my job and I love my country,” Pence said to Saturday Shelby, CNN, and various other Indianapolis-based and national media outlets. “We haven’t been asked to consider any other job than the one that we have, so I’m out here at the Shelby County Fair to earn reelection to the Governor of the state of Indiana.”

As of our Friday morning press deadline, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had not named a vice presidential candidate. With the July 18 Republican National Convention looming, media outlets were hot on the trail, hoping for insights from Pence.

“We were truly grateful for the opportunity to spend time with the Trump’s this last weekend,” Pence said after touring the 4-H barn. “They couldn’t have been more kind and gracious. And we’ll always count it a privilege to have the opportunity to get to know them as a family.”

But when pressed, Pence gave a standard response.

“Nothing was offered, nothing was accepted.”

But the political-speak didn’t stop chatter and speculation from locals getting a picture with the governor or visitors to the Shelby County Republican fair booth.

Shelby County Republican Party Chair J.R. Showers was quick to respond to questions about a possible Trump-Pence ticket.

“I think he would be a terrific choice,” Showers said, noting Pence’s previous experience in the U.S. House of Representatives and Governor’s office.

Shelby County Prosecutor Brad Landwerlen agreed.

“I would be thrilled to have a Hoosier (as vice president),” Landwerlen said. “It would be great to have someone that would have Hoosier interests at heart.”

Indiana is second only to New York in the number of vice presidents produced. Of the five Hoosier vice presidents, Shelbyville native and former Indiana Governor Thomas A. Hendricks, a Democrat, was a vice presidential candidate three times. The first was an unsuccessful run on Samuel Tilden’s ticket. The second time he declined the nomination due to health reasons, but four years later, he accepted and served under President Grover Cleveland.

“Anytime you become a governor, there’s a possibility you could be called (for the vice presidency),” Shelby County Council member Linda Sanders said. “(Pence’s candidacy) depends on what Trump is looking for to bring value to his team, but Trump hasn’t let anyone know (what he’s looking for) yet.”

Jeff Sponsel sees Pence as a helpful addition to Trump’s candidacy.

“I think Trump needs those categories filled out on his pedigree,” Sponsel said.

But as Pence meandered through the crowd and speculation of the next few days loomed, tangible answers were hard to find.

“I want to see some animals,” Pence told his staff, frequently directing the conversation back to the fair. Throughout the walk from the Hendricks cabin to the 4-H barns and back to the midway, Pence offered one-liners and reiterated respect for 4-H program participants. “It’s not a fair until you’ve seen a cow,” he said.