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Mike Pence’s continued single-digit performance in the polls, coupled with lackluster fundraising numbers, are casting doubts on the long-term viability of his presidential campaign.
The former vice president raised a modest $1.2 million for his presidential bid in the second quarter, while the super PAC supporting him raised $2.6 million. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s campaign said it collected $35 million for the quarter, and Gov. Ron DeSantis drew about $20 million.
Even other candidates such as former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott each raised more than twice what Pence had collected, according to campaign finance reports filed last weekend. But Haley, unlike Pence, was in the race for the entire quarter. Pence announced his candidacy just three weeks before the reporting period ended. Scott jumped in just two weeks before Pence.
Pence also has yet to reach one of the key requirements to qualify for the first Republican presidential debate next month: obtaining a minimum of 40,000 unique donors. Six other Republican candidates already have met that threshold.
A Pence spokesperson did not respond to IBJ’s multiple requests for comment, but when asked on multiple TV stations whether his campaign would meet that metric, Pence assured viewers he would qualify without resorting to shticks like “offering gift cards,” alluding to North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s promise to give $20 gift certificates to supporters who donate $1 to his campaign.
To make it to the debate stage, candidates must also poll at least 1% in two national polls and two early-state polls, a hurdle Pence would likely clear given he currently hovers around 7% in FiveThirtyEight’s average of polls behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (21.2%) and former President Donald Trump (51.3%). In a close fourth is businessman and political novice Vivek Ramaswamy (5.6%), who has come up in a surprising third in some surveys.
“Pence has an opportunity to be the nominee, but that likelihood seems to get smaller with each poll showing Trump with big leads and headlines and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ fundraising power, both towering over Pence in that regard,” said Laura Merrifield Wilson, a political science professor at the University of Indianapolis.
Candidates have until 48 hours prior to the Aug. 23 debate, which will be held in Milwaukee, to meet the polling and fundraising requirements.
Pence’s supporters believe he still has a shot.
“I do think he will meet the threshold and will be in the debate,” said Al Hubbard, the Indianapolis businessman who led the National Economic Council during the George W. Bush administration. “It is important to the country that he participates in the debate. We should all hear his perspective on Trump.”
Others think his heavy campaigning in Iowa and South Carolina could propel him to victory in early primary states.
“You can’t look at the race right now as a national race. You have to look at Iowa, then South Carolina, then New Hampshire,” said Jim Atterholt, who was Pence’s chief of staff during his time as Indiana governor. “Those are the states that set the pace of the overall national race.”
Bloomberg reported Thursday that Pence’s campaign is ramping up its digital outreach to Republican donors to avoid the embarrassment of missing the debate. The campaign has paid for an email advertisement asking 40,000 people to donate just $1 to help him qualify.
Pence also asked his Twitter followers this week to donate $1, but don’t expect a Starbucks gift card in return.
“Even $1 will make sure we get on that stage,” he told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas.
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Who thinks he would be a good President??? Really?
His ego!
“That’s not my concern” Mike Pence when commenting on the failure of US cities!
But he is concerned about Ukraine and his Establishment friends in the military industrial complex.
Interesting comment for a Presidential candidate!
I heard that comment on Tucker Carlson’s show and I was shocked that he would make that derogatory comment. To say during an interview that the economic issues facing millions of Americans was quote, “NOT MY CONCERN” – but rather Ukraine was his concern – well, he just lost millions of Americans. It also told me he has been bought. He just signed his own political death certificate!!!!!
He sold his soul to the devil (trump).
Mike’s been for sale for a long, long time.
He was always a yes man and a patsy.
Fortunately he saw the light before it was too late and saved Democracy on Jan 6th.
Yes, but that’s damming with faint praise.
Stephen P, and yet it is a Constitutional Republic!
A Constitution Republic and Democracy are not synonymous.
In business, success requires a “unique sales proposition” – something that differentiates you from your competition. Pence has failed to do that, as his views are as extreme right-wing as everyone else seeking the GOP nomination. And, like them, he cannot bring himself to label Donald Trump as a dangerous fascist who poses the greatest threat ever to our Republic. By his actions, we see him putting politics ahead of principles.
Someone should tell Mike Pence that the Presidential podium is not the Pulpit he seems to be seeking..
Presidential hopes? LOL
I hope no one is actually surprised by this.
The Deep State Mole isn’t in to win it. He’s on a mission to vindictively take votes from Trump but no significant chance of doing so.
He denied the Constitution by his faulty explanation of why he didn’t obey his oath of office and do his job.
It was purposely plotted for him to do what he did in obedience to his Deep State handlers.
Hmmmm… Alternate reality looks like it has claimed another victim.
Are you serious?
Pence is a political hack who surrounded himself with hacks, like Atterholt. Good riddance, Mike!
Pence is so full of himself–and he is completely out of touch (like most politicians) with what the American people want and need. He needs to learn to separate church and state. His religious beliefs don’t interest me. He has hung his hat and his entire campaign on the fact that he didn’t overturn the election results.
As his four year stint as Governor showed, he’s a terrible leader, and let’s face it, he’s just as boring as that long ago talk radio show on WIBC. Let’s see, what was that called? Oh yeah, I remember… The Mike Pence Show.
Pence is as about Christian in his deeds as my left foot. And my left foot is not very Christian. He’s pathetic and has absolutely no chance. His only claim to fame is that for one day he did his job.
Pence doesn’t believe women should be alone with men not their husbands. That’s freaking prehistoric in today’s world. Doesn’t he know men and women work together now? Its laughable to think he could win a single working woman’s vote.