Vice President Mike Pence held the district before running for governor in 2012. | Carlos Giusti/AP Photo Filing shows Pence's brother readying House campaign

A new federal tax filing indicates that Vice President Mike Pence's brother, Greg, is preparing to launch a campaign for Congress in Indiana.

An operative with ties to Vice President Pence and Rep. Luke Messer, who is leaving his House seat to run for Senate, filed paperwork with the IRS this week to form "Greg Pence for Congress Inc." “for purposes of conducting a campaign in 2018 for the election of Greg Pence as United State Representative in Indiana.”


Greg Pence has been weighing a run for Congress in Messer's 6th District for months. Pence, a businessman, has appeared at his brother's side as he ran for office but would be new to political office himself. Greg Pence has already been deeply involved in Indiana politics this year through his work for Messer. He is serving as the chairman of Messer's Senate finance committee and starred in a video announcing Messer’s Senate bid.

Vice President Pence held the district before running for governor in 2012. The Pence family’s history in the 6th District, combined with Greg Pence’s ties to a national political and fundraising network through his brother, would make Pence a formidable candidate, Indiana operatives say.

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Indiana operative Craig Kunkle, who has ties to both Mike Pence and Messer, is listed as the contact and custodian of records for the new committee. Kunkle is part of MO Strategies, a firm started by longtime Mike Pence aide Marty Obst. Kunkle is also a former campaign treasurer for Messer.

A Pence consultant did not respond to a request for comment.

Though he would be the biggest name in the race, other Republicans have already launched bids for the 6th District while Pence was considering his options, including state Sen. Mike Crider.