Dave Bangert

dbangert@jconline.com

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Forget about another run for governor from Mitch Daniels.

The Purdue University president put an end to growing speculation Thursday, saying that he had no plans to run for an office he held for eight years if Gov. Mike Pence is, as expected, asked to join Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s ticket as vice president.

“Ordinarily, it’s neither necessary nor good practice to comment on hypothetical questions,” said Daniels, who has been at Purdue since his second term as governor ended in January 2013.

“But this year and the current political situation in Indiana is extraordinary to say the least,” Daniels said. “So I think it is appropriate that I make plain today that, should there be a sudden need to name a new nominee for governor, I will not present myself as a candidate nor would I accept the nomination if offered.”

About an hour after Daniels backed away, media reports surfaced that Trump would name Pence as his running mate. Trump was expected to make an official announcement at 11 a.m. Friday, but postponed it following a deadly attack in France. The deadline for Pence to drop out of the gubernatorial race is noon Friday.

Earlier this week, Daniels seemed to leave the door open to another campaign. He told the Journal & Courier that he didn’t think it was appropriate to discuss whether he’d been asked to run if Pence, a fellow Republican, bailed out of his re-election bid against Democrat John Gregg. But Daniels didn’t flat out reject the idea, as he’d done in the past when his name has been floated for public office during his time at Purdue.

This week, Bill Oesterle, former Angie’s List CEO and manager of Daniels’ first campaign in 2004, on Tuesday started a “Draft Mitch” petition online through his group Enterprise Republicans. Oesterle similarly called out Daniels in 2015, as he looked for a Republican candidate who could take on Pence in the 2016 primary. (At the time, Daniels told the J&C: "(Oesterle) thinks because he talked me into it once, he can talk me into it twice, maybe. But he should be smarter than that.")

And any conversation in recent days about potential candidates to replace Pence – Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita and Susan Brooks, and Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma – came with a caveat that all bets were off if Daniels showed interest.

On Thursday, Daniels acknowledged that he’d been pressed on the subject in the past week.

“Over the last few days, I have been importuned to do so by a large number and wide variety of people I respect deeply,” Daniels said. “They include those now on the Indiana Republican ticket, those responsible nationally for supporting both gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns, and a host of Hoosier citizens, many of whom I know and many more I was hearing from for the first time. An apparent majority of the Republican State Committee has offered its support, as have several of the good people who will now become candidates if the vacancy does in fact occur.

“I told each such person that I was highly unlikely to return to elective politics, but that out of respect for them I would take a couple days to reflect on their appeal. We had all been led to believe that we would know by now if a new nominee would actually be needed, but as that has not happened I think it best to make my decision known now.”

By lunchtime Thursday, the “Draft Mitch” site had been stripped of its petition and fundraising links that had been there a day earlier.

Oesterle did not immediately respond to calls Thursday. But Megan Robertson, executive director of Enterprise Republicans, said the organization wanted to reinforce the idea that Daniels would have solid support for an encore in the governor’s office.

“We obviously respect his decision, but we still have a lot of admiration and respect for what he did as governor and would like to see him serve our state or our country at a different time, when he’s ready,” Robertson said. “And when he’s ready, we’ll be here, ready to draft him again.”

Barb Knochel, a Buck Creek resident and vice chairwoman of the 4th District GOP, would be one of the 22 Republicans who would select a replacement for Pence on the ballot. Knochel said she plans to use part of her time next week as a delegate at the National Republican Convention in Cleveland to speak with anyone who lobbies for the gubernatorial nomination.

But she said her No. 1 choice would have been Daniels.

“Oh, yeah. I would have loved it,” Knochel said. “But I never figured it would happen. His heart’s elsewhere now.” I think he enjoys Purdue too much. And he’s doing a great job.”

Mike Berghoff, chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees, said he spent time with Daniels this week for long-standing business “while all the chatter was going on.” Berghoff said he trusted that Daniels understood that trustees believed he was doing good work at the university.

“At the same time, I tried not to influence any decision he might be contemplating, because I knew if he was contemplating it, it was for all the right reasons,” Berghoff said. “I think he put it into the proper order. Though, I think he was sensitive to the growing volume about what he wanted to do as the decision lagged about Gov. Pence.”

That said, Berghoff admitted he was relieved the trustees didn't have to think about a presidential search.

"We already have an (athletic director) search going on," Berghoff said.

Daniels said he was committed to Purdue, which a year ago offered him a contract extension that runs into 2020. Daniels stands to make a combined $1 million in retention bonuses if he stays at Purdue through then, according to that contract.

“My reasons for this decision are entirely positive,” Daniels wrote. “I love Purdue, its students, staff and alumni. I believe that good things are occurring at our university and am enthusiastic about pursuing them further.”

Dave Bangert writes for the Journal and Courier. Contact him at dbangert@jconline.com.

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