Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence declined Thursday to endorse Sens. John McCain or Kelly Ayotte in their heated re-election campaigns — following nominee Donald Trump.
"I look forward to supporting Republican candidates in the days and weeks ahead all over the country," Pence told reporters while flying to a campaign rally in Virginia, according to NBC News. "So does Donald Trump.
"But the stakes in this election are so high: To restore our country and home and abroad, we need new leadership — and I'm looking forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with Donald Trump to drive that new leadership forward."
Trump on Tuesday also refused to endorse McCain in his Arizona primary race, along with House Speaker Paul Ryan in his Wisconsin contest.
He also singled out Ayotte as a disloyal leader in New Hampshire, telling The Washington Post on Tuesday that "she’s given me no support — zero support — and yet I’m leading her in the polls."
Ayotte, who is in her first term, is battling Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan.
Pence added that saw "eye to eye" with Donald Trump on their views of the Khan family, whom the presidential nominee has ripped because of their attacks on his plan to ban Muslims, as well as any role that Russia might have in the hacking of emails from the Democratic National Committee.
"I think Donald Trump and I see eye to eye on all those issues," the Indiana governor said. "Donald Trump and I both said that Captain Khan is an American hero and his family, like every Gold Star family, should be cherished — and by every American.
"With regard to other issues, I just — I've seen my role as simply amplifying the points that Donald Trump is making."
He emphasized that he and Trump would stand "shoulder to shoulder in this campaign" despite their campaign approaches.
"We have different styles, but we have the exact same goals, the exact same vision," he said, according to NBC. "I strongly support Donald Trump's brand of leadership."
Pence added that he and Trump speak "just about every day."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.