Vice President Mike Pence's political action committee has taken in $2 million this year, and he is using that to help Republican candidates in the 2018 midterm elections, according to a new report.

A Wall Street Journal story published Friday claimed Pence's Great America Committee is already handing out campaign cash to GOP candidates who support President Donald Trump. Pence, the Journal writes, could play a strong role next year as Republicans try to hold onto their majorities in the House and Senate.

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., told the Journal Pence "will be extremely involved in the '18 election season, and he'll be an extremely effective participant."

Pence is well-liked among Republicans. He is, according to former Mitt Romney spokesman Ryan Williams, a "safe choice, whereas Trump is a total wild card."

Pence, Williams said, will "come into your state and give a standard stump speech, hold the high-dollar campaign event and help promote your candidate, which is what you want from a high-level surrogate."

Politico reported last month that Pence already was handing out campaign money to GOP candidates through his PAC. White House advisers helped put together the list of candidates who were chosen to receive money.

A wave of retirements is cascading through the GOP, which could make a dent in the party's majorities in both houses of Congress next year.