DES MOINES, IOWA — Former Vice President Mike Pence is launching his 2024 presidential campaign on Wednesday in the first-in-the-nation state of Iowa.
“That is why today before God and my family, I am announcing that I am running for President of the United States of America,” said Pence.
Pence announced his presidency with an online message earlier in the day before his first live campaign announcement in Ankeny on the DMACC campus. Pence will now take on his former boss and current front-runner for the nomination Donald Trump. Pence did not hold back on his comments about his former boss.
“I believe someone who puts themselves above the Constitution should never be president, and I believe anyone who asks someone else to put them over the Constitution should never be President of the United States again,” said Pence.
Pence outlined the wording of the Constitution and explained how he did not have the power to stop the process of confirming the election results. That is something the former president does not agree with and has been vocal about.
Pence went at Trump for what he believes is a weak stance on “protecting the sanctity of life” citing Trump’s comments about how Roe v. Wade being overturned ruined the midterm elections for some Republicans.
The former vice president went at current President Joe Biden on the economy, national debt, military strength and more.
“The first step to turning America around is ending this disastrous presidency and making sure Joe Biden is never re-elected as president of the United States,” said Pence.
Undecided Republican voters commented on the announcement and shared what they like about Pence and their plans for the primary election.
“One of the things I like about him is that he sticks to his principals, even when his own side doesn’t agree with him and I appreciate that,” said Brenna Capon from Des Moines.
“Whoever gets the primary I’ll vote for him. If Trump gets it I’ll vote for Trump. Trump is certainly not a perfect person, but he’s certainly better than Biden,” said John Paulstrong from Des Moines.
