Where's Mike? Here's what Pence is doing as Trump taps a new VP in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Eight years ago in Cleveland, Donald Trump tapped then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his running mate.  

In 2024, as Republicans have gathered to again crown former President Trump as the party’s nominee, Pence is nowhere to be seen in Milwaukee.  

The former vice president, who lives in Carmel, did not share his plans for this week in advance of the Republican National Convention, but Wednesday afternoon Pence posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was spending time with three eastern Indiana nonprofits.  

“Truly Inspiring Day in Fort Wayne Indiana with friends making a difference for vulnerable families and kids,” Pence wrote in the post. “Grateful for the work at Pearl Street Arts, Bridge of Grace Ministries and Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne! God Bless You All!”  

The Facebook page for Bridge of Grace Ministries also posted Wednesday that Pence took a tour of one of their facilities this week.  

Pence's brother, outgoing U.S. Rep. Greg Pence of Columbus, Indiana, is also not in Milwaukee. Greg Pence's congressional office did not respond to an IndyStar question about the congressman's plans for the RNC, but he posted on X Wednesday afternoon that he visited the Henry County Fair.

In his former vice president’s absence, Trump chose another Midwesterner, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, as his 2024 running mate.

The split between Mike Pence and Trump began when Pence refused Trump’s wishes to block the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. In 2023, Pence launched his own campaign for president, which he ended six months later. Pence said earlier this year he cannot endorse Trump's 2024 campaign.

Pence has also been critical of Republican Party changes in recent weeks. Ahead of the RNC, he issued a statement criticizing the new GOP platform on abortion, which aligns with Trump’s view that laws should be left to individual states. Pence called the move “a profound disappointment” that removed “historic pro-life principles that have long been the foundation of the platform.”   

Contact IndyStar's state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X@CarloniBrittany.