Story highlights Hours earlier, Pence set off alarms inside the Republican establishment when he declined to back them

On Tuesday, Trump declined to endorse McCain and Ayotte, as well as House Speaker Paul Ryan

(CNN) Indiana Gov. Mike Pence offered his support Thursday to Republican Sens. John McCain and Kelly Ayotte, days after his running mate, Donald Trump, refused to endorse the embattled Republican senators.

Hours earlier Thursday, Pence set off alarms inside the Republican establishment when he declined to back the senators from Arizona and New Hampshire.

"I look forward to supporting Republican candidates in the days and weeks ahead all over the country, and so does Donald Trump," Pence said on his campaign plane when asked directly by reporters if he would endorse McCain and Ayotte.

Pence senior adviser Marc Short, however, later told CNN the Indiana governor merely gave a "non-answer" and didn't intend to suggest he wasn't endorsing them.

Pence later reiterated his support, telling WTKR in a transcript provided by his campaign that "of course I support John McCain and Kelly Ayotte and all of our Republican incumbents."

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