Ryun Leads Push for Pence Presidential Run

A group of conservative Republicans led by former Kansas Rep. Jim Ryun is eager for Indiana Rep. Mike Pence to run for the presidency. And they’re doing something about it. The group is launching an independent spending effort to convince Pence to run, Politico reports.

The group, “America’s President Committee,” begins a website, www.theconservativechampion.org, and a signature drive Monday. “Pence has gotten buzz on the right in part because he’s seen as a candidate who could unify the three traditional constituencies within the GOP — social conservatives, economic conservatives and foreign-policy conservatives,” the news service states.

“Mike Pence extraordinarily exemplifies the optimistic, pro-growth, pro-job-creation Reagan-Kemp wing of the GOP,” Ralph Benko, a former Reagan administration official who has been involved in the tea party movement, tells Politico. “Grassroots conservatives, Republicans, the tea party and populists are looking for a man or woman of principle who can champion and unite the newly energized and engaged citizenry.”