"I hope that Mike Pence can help change Donald Trump's positions, particularly as it relates to his statements about Hispanics. I hope Mike Pence can be a good influence,” said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a vocal critic of the GOP standard bearer. Pence and Flake are pictured above in 2005. | AP Photo Pence pick wins Trump badly-needed goodwill in Congress

Donald Trump's selection of Mike Pence as his vice presidential nominee probably won't win over “never Trump” Republicans. But interviews with Trump doubters on Capitol Hill this week suggest the pick will buy the presumptive nominee significant goodwill in the halls of Congress, especially if Pence's steady brand of conservatism rubs off on the GOP’s presumptive nominee.

"I'm hearing very good things about him from my colleagues and it appears he is solid,” said Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a Trump skeptic who hasn't ruled out voting for Hillary Clinton. "I need to learn more about him.”


Though the ultimate effect of Pence remains to be seen, there were signs that the former six-term congressman could help win over at least some of the elected Republicans who've refused to endorse Trump. With few exceptions, the pick garnered strong reviews among Hill Republicans — an audience that Trump has struggled to cultivate, to put it mildly.

Lawmakers said they're hopeful that Pence's on-message social and fiscal conservatism will transfer to Trump, along with the VP pick's more measured rhetoric about minorities and women. That could prove a tall task for Pence, though, given that everyone from the Senate majority leader to the House speaker has tried and failed to nudge Trump to ease up on his charged language about Muslims, Latinos and others.

“I look forward to having some time to see what he does, and [see if he’ll] listen to Mike Pence,” Sen. Cory Gardner said of Trump, whom he hasn't endorsed.

"I hope that Mike Pence can help change Donald Trump's positions, particularly as it relates to his statements about Hispanics. I hope Mike Pence can be a good influence,” said Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), a vocal critic of the GOP standard bearer.

The Pence pick alone won't bring Flake on board. "I'll see where Donald Trump goes from here,” he replied.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has not been shy voicing criticisms of Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail, was effusive with his praise of Pence, calling the governor a "principled conservative, man of faith, and talented messenger for Republican ideas."

"Mike's leadership in Indiana and Congress make him more than ready for the position of vice president," McConnell said in a statement. "His addition to the ticket will bring even more excitement to the voters who are eager to put a Republican in the White House and deny a third term for President Obama's liberal agenda."

The choice could have a bigger effect among Trump doubters on the right who question his conservative bona fides. Diehard conservatives like Rep. Steve King of Iowa said he'll be much more inclined to support the ticket with Pence as VP. The Club for Growth, a conservative group that loathes Trump and spent millions trying to stop him, praised Pence effusively as "outstanding," while not mentioning Trump.

"I’m trying to get to a place where I with a clear conscience can advocate and endorse Trump,” King said. Pence gives him "a higher level of confidence."

Republicans who are on record in opposition to Trump were less moved. Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), a centrist leader, shook his head “no” when asked if his mind was changed, while Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a moderate fighting for his political life this fall, said that Pence is “not good enough.”

“I’m not on board the Trump ticket. I de-endorsed him,” Kirk said. "If he nominated my mother that'd probably influence me.”

But Kirk’s equally endangered colleague, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, said that Pence’s effect on his own reelection race is “only going to be positive.”

Republicans hope that Pence will help bring out Midwestern conservatives who will be vital to the campaigns of Johnson, Rob Portman of Ohio and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Toomey, who knew Pence for years in the House and has not endorsed Trump, called the selection “good news."

It’s unclear how Pence will play electorally in more diverse states like Florida, Nevada and North Carolina.

"He's a middle aged white guy, there's no way around it, right?,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (R-S.D.). But Pence “has really worked hard in making the Republican Party and our positions and our agenda something that people want to subscribe to."

Rachael Bade contributed to this report.