A Georgia lawmaker believes Vice President Pence could play an influential role in the 2018 midterm elections, where Republicans aim to hold onto their majorities in both the House and Senate despite President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE's unpopularity.

Pence “will be extremely involved in the ‘18 election season, and he’ll be an extremely effective participant," Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) told The Wall Street Journal.

Republican strategists told the Journal that Pence could help the GOP campaign in states where Republican candidates face difficult primary challengers. Such candidates could use the aid of a top White House official who could hold effective campaign events for candidates who may prefer Pence to the more polarizing Trump.

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Pence, who has begun raising campaign money for 2018 GOP candidates through his Great America political action committee, is a more experienced politician than the president. He served as Indiana governor before joining Trump's ticket.

Former Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyCrenshaw looms large as Democrats look to flip Texas House seat The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE spokesman Ryan Williams told the Journal that Pence is a "safe choice, whereas Trump is a total wild card." Pence's consistent performance at public campaign events is "what you want from a high-level surrogate," he said.

Republicans are coasting on their recent success in passing sweeping tax-reform legislation, but face a tough electoral map in 2018. Democrats need only 24 more seats to gain a majority in the House, while a flipped Senate seat would bring the Republicans down to 50.