Gov. Pence to announce re-election bid

Any speculation that Gov. Mike Pence would pass on a re-election bid following a highly contentious start to 2015 was extinguished Monday.

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Jeff Cardwell issued a statement on the party's website saying the 55-year-old governor would formally announce that he'd be seeking re-election in 2016 during the INDGOP's Spring Dinner in June.

"Gov. Mike Pence is a conservative leader and dedicated public servant who always puts Indiana first," Cardwell said in the statement. "We are excited the governor will formally announce his plans to seek re-election during our annual Spring Dinner, and we look forward to hearing his ideas for the future of our great state."

The governor's announcement will come less than two weeks before the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which Pence signed into law and revised earlier this year, goes into effect.

Call Star reporter Michael Anthony Adams at (317) 444-6123. Follow him on Twitter: @MichaelAdams317.



