SUMMARY
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump has repeatedly denounced a “rigged” political system run by politicians that reward campaign donors and political cronies at the expense of the American people.
Yet, the record of Trump’s own running mate, Mike Pence embodied a “rigged” system that benefited Pence’s personal aspirations, his political donors and allies, and maintained a corrupt status quo.
Pence 1993: “I’ve Had All The Political Ambition Knocked Out Of Me.” According to the Daily Journal, “‘I’ve had all the political ambition knocked out of me,’ Pence said. ‘There is a kind of individual who makes for a good and effective politician, and that’s certainly not me.’” [Daily Journal, 4/5/93]
2001: Mike Pence Said He Had No Political Ambitions Beyond The U.S. House. According to The Associated Press State & Local, “Pence says he has no political ambitions beyond the chambers of the U.S. House. ‘I never thought I’d get the chance to be a U.S. congressman,’ said Pence. ‘This is the greatest honor of my life.’” [Associated Press State & Local, 10/15/01]
Pence: “I Have No Plans to Run For President … My Focus Right Now Is On Serving The People Of Indiana In Washington … I’m Going To Do Everything In My Power To Elect As Many Conservatives To Congress In The Year 2010 As Possible.” While appearing on Federal News Service, Pence said, “I have no plans to run for president, Chris. I’ll tell you what I -- My focus right now is on serving the people of Indiana in Washington, and doing everything in my power, whether it was in Iowa; I was in North Carolina; I’ve been in Florida, California, Ohio and Kentucky. I’m going to do everything in my power to elect as many conservatives to Congress in the year 2010 as possible.” [Federal News Service, 8/2/09]
Pence: “I’m An Indianapolis Colts Fan So I’m Going To The Super Bowl … I’m Not Going To The White House.” While appearing on Federal News Service, Pence said, “Well, look, let me say, I’m and Indianapolis Colts fan so I’m going to the Super Bowl, Megyn, I’m not going to the White House. Beyond that, look, we, we welcome the dialogue. It was our idea to invite the president to come to the House Republican retreat. It’s healthy for the country, this public exchange of ideas.” [Federal News Service, 2/3/10]
|
Year[1] |
State |
Office |
Candidates |
Total Raised |
Final Vote Count |
| 2012 | Indiana | Governor | Mike Pence (R) | $14,822,182 | 49.49% (1,275,424 votes) |
| John R. Gregg (D) | $6,457,468 | 46.56% (1,200,016 votes) | |||
| Rupert Boneham (L) | $77,240 | 3.95% (101,868 votes) | |||
| 2010 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $2,684,316 | 66.57% (126,027 votes) |
| Barry Welsh (D) | $115 | 29.92% (56,647 votes) | |||
| T.J. Thompson (L) | $0 | 3.5% (6,635 votes) | |||
| 2008 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $1,612,797 | 63.95% (180,608 votes) |
| Barry Welsh (D) | $23,625 | 33.38% (94,265 votes) | |||
| George Holland (L) | $0 | 2.67% (7,539 votes) | |||
| 2006 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $1,535,469 | 60.01% (115,266 votes) |
| Barry Welsh (D) | $60,263 | 39.99% (76,812 votes) | |||
| 2004 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $1,189,141 | 67.1% (182,529 votes) |
| Melina Ann Fox (D) | $48,626 | 31.29% (85,123 votes) | |||
| Chad Roots (L) | $0 | 1.62% (4,397 votes) | |||
| 2002 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $1,225,879 | 63.79% (118,436 votes) |
| Melina Ann Fox (D) | $346,305 | 34.4% (63,871 votes) | |||
| 2000 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | $1,109,633 | 50.87% (106,023 votes) |
| Robert W. Rock (D) | $364,095 | 38.81% (80,885 votes) | |||
| William Frazier (I) | $399,470 | 9.15% (19,077 votes) | |||
| Michael Anderson (L) | N/A | 1.08% (2,422 votes) | |||
| 1990 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | N/A | 40.63% (63,980 votes) |
| Philip Sharp (D) | N/A | 59.37% (93,495 votes) | |||
| 1988 | Indiana | U.S. House | Mike Pence (R) | N/A | 46.8% (102,846 votes) |
| Philip Sharp (D) | N/A | 53.2% (116,915 votes) |
[U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. “Election Statistics,” Accessed 9/3/14; Indiana Election Division. “Election Results.” Accessed 9/13/14; OpenSecrets.org. “Rep. Mike Pence.” Accessed 9/3/14; National Institute on Money in State Politics, Accessed 9/3/14]
2000 – Present: Pence Has Reported That He Has Held Three Outside Positions; Reported His Wife Has Held Two Positions. According to Pence’s financial disclosure, from 2000 to 2015, Pence reported that the only positions he has held outside of elected office was with HCI/Dawson, Hoosier Conservative Inc. and Emmis Communications Corporation. Pence has not reported holding an outside position since 2004, but reported two positions for his wife.
Pence’s Positions As Reported Are Detailed Below:
| Year | Position | Name of Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | N/A | Tracy’s Kids Board of Directors (Spouse) |
| 2015 | N/A | Custom Home Watercolors (Spouse) |
| 2014 | N/A | Tracy’s Kids Board of Directors (Spouse) |
| 2014 | N/A | Custom Home Watercolors (Spouse) |
| 2013 | N/A | Custom Home Watercolors (Spouse) |
| 2013 | N/A | Tracy’s Kids Board of Directors (Spouse) |
| 2004 | Partner | HCI/Dawson, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2004 | Officer | Hoosier Conservative, Inc. / Indianapolis, IN |
| 2003 | Partner | HCI/Dawson, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2003 | Officer | Hoosier Conservative, Inc. / Indianapolis, IN |
| 2002 | Partner | HCI/Dawson, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2002 | Officer | Hoosier Conservative, Inc. / Indianapolis, IN |
| 2001 | Partner | HCI/Dawson, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2001 | Officer | Hoosier Conservative, Inc. / Indianapolis, IN |
| 2000 | Partner | HCI/Dawson, Indianapolis, IN |
| 2000 | Officer | Hoosier Conservative, Inc. / Indianapolis, IN |
| 2000 | Employee | Emmis Communications Corp., Indianapolis, IN *Terminated as of 10/31/00 |
[Personal Financial Disclosure, “Schedule IV - Positions,” Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Michael R. Pence, 2012-2000; Personal Financial Disclosure, “Part 6 – Officer or Director of Corporation,” “Part 4 – Sole Proprietorship or Professional Practice,” Indiana Office of Inspector General, Michael Pence, 2013 – 2015]
2010: Mike Pence Said On Speculation Of A 2012 Presidential Run “We Wouldn't Rule Anything Out” And Said He Would Discuss Next Steps After The 2010 Elections. According to The Star Press, “On speculation of a 2012 presidential run: ‘We wouldn’t rule anything out.’ He said his family will discuss their next steps ‘the day after’ the 2010 elections.” [Star Press, 1/7/10]
November 2010: Pence Would “Prayfully” Consider Whether To Run For President. According to the transcript of a Mike Pence interview with ABC obtained via Federal News Service, “AMANPOUR: Let me first ask you, Representative Pence, you have stepped down or you’re planning to step down from your leadership position. Are you running for president? PENCE:(Laughs.) Well, let me say, two years ago I was asked to serve in a leadership position in the Congress, which, after spending most of my career fighting runaway spending under Republican control, was something of a surprise to many.But I took it because I thought we had an opportunity to lead our party back to a majority. And I took the job.I believe that we returned our party to the practice of conservative principles on Capitol Hill. We could win back the Congress.
This week’s historic victory for conservative values for the American people is, in my judgment, a fulfillment of my commitment. And so now my family and I are going to take our time to prayerfully consider ways that we can serve our state and serve our nation in the years ahead. AMANPOUR: Very quickly, would you run for president? PENCE: Well, look, we’ve been very humbled by the encouragement we’ve received back in Indiana and around the country, and we’re intent on taking the coming weeks to really prayerfully consider that, wait on the Lord, to seek counsel. And after the first of the year, we’ll make a decision.” [Federal News Service, 11/7/10]
Saying “It May Not Be Possible To Complete An Entire Term As Conference Chairman,” Pence Stepped Down From His Leadership Post In The House Of Representatives. According to WRBI - 103.9 FM, “The political future for Congressman Mike Pence is starting to become clearer. Republicans have won control of the U.S. House, but Pence is stepping down as head of the House GOP conference. He has been rumored to be looking at a presidential or gubernatorial run in 2012, which he would not address last night. In a statement, Pence said he has, quote, ‘come to realize that it may not be possible to complete an entire term as conference chairman.’” [WRBI - 103.9 FM, 11/4/10]
Evansville Courier & Press: Pence Gave Up His Position As Chairman Of The House Republican Caucus To “Focus On His Next Move.” According to Evansville Courier & Press, “Pence was chairman of the House Republican Conference, the third-highest position in the U.S. House GOP caucus, until he gave it up shortly after last year’s election to focus on his next move. Pence also appears regularly on the Sunday morning talk-show circuit.” [Evansville Courier & Press, 3/22/11]
Herald Bulletin Editorial: Pence’s Timing “Disingenuous: Get Elected, Then Drop A Couple Of Bombshells.” According to an editorial by the Herald Bulletin, “Pence's recent announcement that he'll make a decision after Jan. 1 about whether to run for president in 2012 adds fuel to the argument that he's thinking about his future rather than focusing on the tasks at hand. Notice that Pence waited until after the Nov. 2 election to step down from his position as the House Republican Conference Chairman, and then subsequently has announced that he will be deciding whether to run for president. The timing of it all seems a bit disingenuous: Get elected, then drop a couple of bombshells.” [Editorial – Herald Bulletin, 11/13/10]
Mike Pence Endorsed Ted Cruz Over Trump, But Praised Trump In The Process. According to Wall Street Journal, “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Friday said he’s going to vote for Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas for president, but also offered unqualified praise to Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s campaign. Appearing on an Indianapolis talk-radio show at noon, Mr. Pence said he picked the Texas senator because he is ‘a principled conservative who has dedicated his career to advocating the Reagan agenda.’ ‘I’m not against anybody but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Republican primary,’ Mr. Pence said.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/29/16]
Trump Claimed Pundits Called Pence’s Cruz Endorsement “Maybe The Weakest Endorsement In The History Of Endorsements.” According to the Indianapolis Star, “He continued to criticize the endorsement later in the day during a rally at the Center for Performing Arts in Carmel. ‘All the pundits said, “You know what, I think that was maybe the weakest endorsement in the history of endorsements,”’ Trump said. ‘In the end, they had to re-run the tape just to find out who he was endorsing.’” [Indianapolis Star, 5/3/16]
John Krull Column: “When Cruz's Campaign Came To A Flaming End Here, Almost Without Pause Pence Hopped Over To Trump. He Said He Would Support The Billionaire. The Motivation For The Governor's Reasoning Was Clear: I'm For Trump Now Because I Really, Really, Really Can't Afford To Offend Any Potential Republican Voters.” In a column for NUVO, John Krull wrote, “Perhaps the perfect example, though, of the countervailing pressures at work within the Republican Party this election year has been Gov. Mike Pence, who spun through the primary season like a weathervane trapped in a cyclone. First, under great pressure from social conservatives both in Indiana and around the country, Pence endorsed Trump rival Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, with all the enthusiasm one normally reserves for a colonoscopy: I kind of like all the candidates but I kind of, sort of, maybe, possibly, just might like Cruz a tiny bit more than the others - I think, that is, if it's okay with you. When Cruz's campaign came to a flaming end here, almost without pause Pence hopped over to Trump. He said he would support the billionaire. The motivation for the governor's reasoning was clear: I'm for Trump now because I really, really, really can't afford to offend any potential Republican voters. That is true.” [NUVO, 5/10/16]
Bloomberg HEADLINE: “Mike Pence, A Koch Favorite, Mulls 2016 Run For President.” [Bloomberg, 4/16/14]
2014: Koch Brothers Were “Talking About Pence For 2016.” According to the Evansville Courier & Press, “National figures like Gary Bauer, the Koch brothers and Kristol were all talking about Pence for 2016. Bauer called Pence a potentially ‘formidable’ candidate. Politico quoted Pence pollster Kellyanne Conway as saying, ‘One thing that surprises me is who is urging Gov. Pence to consider the presidency. It goes beyond his inner circle to folks I’d have thought were already committed to other candidates.’” [Evansville Courier & Press, 4/13/14]
Politico: “Pence Has Worked To Spotlight The Fiscal Issues That Animate The Kochs’ Political Giving.” According to Politico, “A former talk show host who led a crusade to defund Planned Parenthood in the House, Pence has worked to spotlight the fiscal issues that animate the Kochs’ political giving. People close to the brothers say he first earned their network’s admiration during the George W. Bush years, when he opposed what he deemed Big Government policies backed by his own party, including No Child Left Behind and a Medicare expansion, and repeatedly warned that the GOP was veering off course.” [Politico, 8/28/14]
Politico: “Pence May Just Be Among The Best — Or, At Least, The More Electable — Messengers For This New Koch Brand.” According to Politico, “Pence may just be among the best — or, at least, the more electable — messengers for this new Koch brand in a field of prospective candidates who fit some portions of the brothers’ political bent but not others.” [Politico, 8/28/14]
September 2014: Koch Brothers Contributed More Than $200,000 To Pence’s 2012 Campaign For Governor. According to the Star Press, “Pence has traveled in recent months to speak at Republican political events in several states. Last week, he joined a panel of speakers at an Dallas event hosted by Americans for Prosperity, the conservative advocacy group backed by industrialists Charles and David Koch. They contributed more than $200,000 to Pence’s 2012 campaign for governor.” [Star Press, 9/6/14]
Americans For Prosperity’s Indiana Chapter Launched A Six-Figure Marketing Campaign To Back Pence’s Tax Proposals. According to the Indianapolis Star, “The Indiana chapter, founded in October 2011, will launch a six-figure marketing campaign to back Pence, including TV, radio and online spots, largely in the Indianapolis market. Volunteers also will go door to door in targeted areas. One ad, posted on YouTube, flashes a series of newspaper headlines that note the House Republicans’ failure to embrace Pence’s tax cut despite the state’s expected budget surplus of $518 million in 2014. The ad urges Hoosiers to sign a petition supporting the tax cut at www.fightforindiana.com.” [Indianapolis Star, 3/8/13]
2014: Pence Received A $4,600 In-Kind Donation From Koch Industries In The Form Of A Plane Trip To Palm Beach, Florida. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “And some of Pence’s campaign travel is in the form of in-kind donations. This includes a $4,600 plane trip in January from Koch Industries - a company run by Republican heavy-hitters Charles and David Koch. Pence, first lady Karen Pence and security used the Koch plane to go to a private dinner with wealthy donors in Palm Beach, Florida.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 8/3/14]
Summary
Pence rewarded political donors with state awards and appointed positions. Pence handed out the Sachem award – Indiana’s highest honor – to P.E. McAllister, who had contributed $16,000 to Pence’s campaign. Pence also handed out Sagamore awards – which praised businesspeople in Indiana – to Dick Freeland, who had contributed about $40,000 to Pence’s campaign. Pence also gave Sagamore awards to political allies in the Indiana GOP.
Through His First Six Months In The Office, Pence Rewarded Key State-Level Power Players With Positions On State Commissions And University Boards, Kept Them Close In Unofficial Capacities And Sent Them Off With State-Issued Awards. According to the Evansville Courier & Press, “Top Republican donors and lobbyists increasingly are finding that they have a friend in Gov. Mike Pence. Through his first six months in the office, Pence has rewarded key state-level power players with positions on state commissions and university boards. He has kept them close in unofficial capacities and sent them off with state-issued awards. That Pence would stick close to Indiana’s reliably Republican group of influencers with business ties to state government was clear on his inauguration day.” [Evansville Courier & Press, 7/14/13]
July 2014: Pence Awarded Donor P.E. MacAllister The Sachem Award, Indiana’s Highest Honor; McAllister Contributed $16,000 To Pence And Thousands More To Other Republicans. According to the Associated Press, “Gov. Mike Pence is awarding a veteran Indianapolis philanthropist and Republican donor the state’s highest honor. Pence announced Monday that P.E. MacAllister is the 2014 recipient of Indiana’s Sachem award. Pence said that MacAllister ‘embodies the character, industriousness and generosity’ of the award. MacAllister was first president and later board chairman of his family’s Caterpillar dealership in Indianapolis for decades. The governor credited him with developing the city’s cultural and arts areas as well. MacAllister previously ran the city’s powerful Capital Improvements Board, which is tasked with building and maintaining its sports stadiums. MacAllister is also a routine donor to the state’s Republicans. He’s given $16,000 to Pence and thousands more to others.” [Associated Press, 7/9/14]
February 2013: Pence Gave Dick Freeland A Sagamore Award. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “Fort Wayne businessman Dick Freeland rated Gov. Mike Pence’s first Sagamore of the Wabash award. He delivered it to Freeland during a private ceremony in Fort Wayne on Wednesday afternoon, recognizing his entrepreneurial spirit, public service and courageous work. Freeland is chairman of the board of Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne Inc. He opened his first Pizza Hut restaurant in Fort Wayne in 1972 and now he owns 48 Pizza Hut restaurants and four KFC restaurants in northern Indiana and northwest Ohio.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 2/8/13]
Pence Named Randall Tobias To The Indiana University Board Of Trustees; Tobias Resigned From The Bush Administration After Being Identified As A Client Of The D.C. Madam Escort Service. According to the Evansville Courier & Press, “Recently, Pence has tapped a number of close associates and donors for jobs on state panels. One glaring example was Randall Tobias, the former Indianapolis pharmaceutical executive who left his job in President George W. Bush’s administration after being identified as a client of the escort service run by the ‘D.C. madam.’” [Evansville Courier & Press, 7/4/13]
July 2016: Pence Appointed Jean Ann Harcourt To The Ball State Board Of Trustees. According to Ball State Daily, “After two members of Ball State’s Board of Trustees requested to resignin December, Governor Mike Pence announced one of his new appointments on July 7. Jean Ann Harcourt, a Ball State alumna from Rush County, will serve an unexpired four-year term. She graduated in 1975 with an undergraduate degree in business administration. Harcourt is currently the CEO of her family company, which originally started in 1956 as Harcourt Outlines Co. She leads the company alongside her brother Joe, also a Ball State alumnus. Harcourt Industries, Inc., based in Milroy, Indiana, created a pencil-making machine back in the 50s, and today sells other custom school supplies, political campaign signs, student planners and more.” [Ball State Daily, 7/7/16]
Summary
Pence used IEDC board positions and incentives to award his long-time political donors. In 2013, Pence tapped Eric Doden and Victor Smith—both of whose father’s had donated thousands to his campaigns to head the IEDC.
Under Pence, IEDC incentives directly benefited the business interests or relatives of Pence donors who already sat or were directly appointed by Pence to the IEDC board. These include: Angely Braly (contributed $7,500) who sat on the board of Lowes’, a recipient of a $6.5 million incentive; Robert Koch II (contributed $64,500), whose family members’ company Koch Development Corporation received a $25,000 incentive; James Marcucilli (contributed 10, 250) who sat on the board of IEDC award recipient Steel Dynamics; and Dominic Grote, CEO of Grote Industries the recipient of a $100,000 IEDC incentive. The Grote family members directly involved in the company have contributed least$ 33,000 to Pence’s state campaigns.
In 2014, Pence awarded a $1.3 million IEDC incentive package Deister Machine Company. Deister and its executives contributed $29,500 to Pence campaigns.
January 2013: Pence Tapped Eric Doden As CEO Of The Indiana Economic Development Corp. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “Fort Wayne businessman Eric Doden will help lead Indiana’s job creation efforts after being tapped Thursday as CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corp.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/11/13]
January 2013: Pence Named Victor Smith As Indiana’s Secretary Of Commerce. According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, “Gov.-elect Mike Pence also named Victor Smith, a Hoosier native, as Indiana’s secretary of commerce.” [Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, 1/11/13]
IEDC Board Member James C. Marcucilli Served On The Board Of Directors Of Steel Dynamics. According to Indiana Economic Development Corporation, “James C. Marcuccilli, Fort Wayne, is president and CEO of STAR Financial Bank, director of STAR Insurance Agency, Inc., executive vice president and director of STAR Financial Group, Inc., and officer and director of STAR Wealth Management. He is the Indiana representative on the American Bankers Association, board member of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, board member of Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana and serves on the board of directors of Steel Dynamics, Inc. based in Fort Wayne.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation, 7/16/16]
2011 – 2016 Marcuccilli Contributed $7,500 To Mike Pence State Campaign Entities. [Indiana Election Division, Accessed 7/17/16]
1999, 2008 – 2009: Marcuccilli Gave $2,750 To Pence Congressional Campaign Races. [Federal Election Commission, Accessed 7/17/16]
2013: Governor Pence Personally Appointed Braly To The IEDC. According to States News Service, “The following information was released by the office of the Governor of Indiana: Governor Mike Pence today named three new board members to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): Angela Braly, Jim Schellinger, and Rick Johnson.” [States News Service, 5/7/13]
2014 – 2015: Braly Contributed At Least $7,500 To Pence’s State Campaigns.[Indiana Election Division, 7/17/16]
IEDC Board Member Angela F. Braly Served On The Board Of Lowes. According to Indiana Economic Development Corporation, “Angela F. Braly formerly served as the Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of WellPoint, Inc., now called Anthem, one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies, which does business in Indiana as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in 14 states. Angela also serves on the boards of Procter & Gamble, Lowe’s and Brookfield Asset Management.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Accessed 7/16/16]
IEDC Board Member Robert L. Koch II Served As Chairman Of Koch Enterprises, LLC. According to Indiana Economic Development Corporation, “Robert L. Koch II, Evansville, is chairman of Koch Enterprises, Inc., world leaders in the production of aluminum die castings, sealants and adhesives, recycling of aluminum, the design and construction of industrial paint finishing systems and other products and services.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation, 7/16/16]
2011- 2016: Robert Koch And His Companies Gave At Least $62,000 To Mike Pence State Campaigns. [Indiana Election Division, Accessed 7/17/16]
2011: Robert Koch Donated $2,500 To Mike Pence’s Congressional Campaign. [Federal Election Commission, Accessed 7/17/16]
1984: Siblings Bill And Pat Koch Gained Independence From The George Koch Sons Family-Owned Business And Started Koch Development Corporation. According to Ho Ho Holdings LLC, “In this Southern Indiana town with streets named Donder and Comet and Blitzen, there's another name as prominent as the jolly old elf's. That name is Koch. As in Bill and Pat Koch, and their five children: Will Jr., Kristi, Daniel, Philip and Natalie Koch. The Koch family not only put the town of Santa Claus on the map, they made it a fun place to work, live and play[…] Santa Claus Land became Holiday World in 1984. The scope of the park was expanded with new sections themed after Halloween and 4th of July.That same year, the park gained independence from George Koch Sons, which meant Bill Koch no longer had to consult with his brothers to make changes and add new rides. Bill and Pat Koch became co-chairmen of their newly formed Koch Development Corporation. […] In 1993, Natalie Koch rejoined Koch Development Corporation after graduating from college and working outside the family business. She served as the park’s Operations and Human Resources Director until 2001. She continues to serve on the Koch Development Corporation Board of Directors.” [Ho Ho Holdings LLC, 2000]
December 2015: Governor Pence Personally Appointed Dominic Grote, CEO Of Grote Industries, To The IEDC Board. According to Madison Courier, “Gov. Mike Pence has appointed Grote Industries president and CEO Dominic Grote to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Mark Neal, COO of Bradley Company, of South Bend was also appointed to the board.” [Madison Courier, 12/19/15]
2012 – 2016: Grote Industries’ Family Members John,Michael, William, Dominic, And Therese Grote, Donated A Total Of $33,000 To Mike Pence’s State Campaigns. [Indiana Election Division, Accessed 7/17/16]
September 2014: IEDC Awarded Grote Industries, LLC A $100,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 424 And Create 33 Jobs; To Date, Grote Has Collected $31,767.50 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
News Sentinel, 2014: Deister Machine Company Received A $1,349,364 Incentive Package From The Indiana Economic Development Corporation. According to the News Sentinel, “Deister Machine Company Inc. is investing in new equipment and plans to hire 110 new employees by 2018, the company announced Thursday. The company will purchase two new large computer-controlled lathes and a 750-ton press brake 24 feet long, the largest of its kind in Indiana, according to the company. […] The company will get an incentive package, valued at $1,349,364, from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Indiana Works, and the City of Fort Wayne. The project will qualify for a 10-year investment deduction of real and personal property taxes, due to the location of the facility in the Urban Enterprise Zone.” [News Sentinel, 12/18/14]
2012: Deister Machine Company Contributed $20,000 To Mike Pence. [Indiana Campaign Finance Database, Accessed 12/18/14]
2012: Deister Machine Company Chairman Irwin Deister Contributed $1,000 To Mike Pence. [Indiana Campaign Finance Database, Accessed 12/18/14]
2011-2014: Deister Machine Company President E. Mark Deister Contributed $8,500 To Mike Pence. [Indiana Campaign Finance Database, 12/18/14]
Summary
Under Pence, the Indiana Economic Development Corp paid incentives to companies that outsourced jobs. After awarding BAE System controls over $1.5 million in incentives, BAE outsourced 100 jobs. After awarding Federal-Mogul Corporation nearly $70,000 in incentives, the company outsourced 92 jobs. After the Fabri-Form Company outsourced 60 jobs, the IEDC awards them $160,000 in incentives. And the IEDA awarded General Motors over $4.5 million in incentives, who then outsourced jobs out of Indiana.
April 29, 2014: IEDC Awarded BAE Systems Controls Inc. An $8,000,000 EDGE-R Incentive To Retain 1,000 And Create 0 Jobs; To Date, BAE Has Been Paid $1,578,400 And The Contract Remains Active. [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
April 26, 2013: IEDC Awarded Federal Mogul Corporation An $300,000 EDGE Incentive To Retain 449 And Create 66 Jobs; To Date, Federal-Mogul Has Been Paid $0 And The Contract Status Remained “Active Term.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
April 30, 2013: IEDC Awarded Federal Mogul Corporation An $75,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 449 And Create 66 Jobs; To Date, Federal-Mogul Has Been Paid $69,846.35 And The Contract Status Is Listed As “PostTerm.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
October 10, 2014: IEDC Awarded The Fabri-Form Company Of Bluffton, Indiana An $160,000 EDGE Incentive To Retain 58 And Create 42 Jobs; To Date, Fabri-Form Was Paid $8,307 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
September 4, 2013: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Roanoke, Indiana An $200,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 3388 And Create 100 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $200,000 And The Contract Was “PostTerm.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
June 22,2015: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Roanoke, Indiana An $5,000,000 IDGF Incentive To Retain 2600 And Create 0 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $4,000,000 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
November 13, 2015: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Roanoke, Indiana An $500,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 2600 And Create 0 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $0 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
May 28, 2013: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Bedford, Indiana An $200,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 390 And Create 58 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $200,000 And The Contract Was “PostTerm.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
August 27,2014: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Bedford, Indiana An $400,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 597 And Create 50 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $155,335.78 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
May 9, 2016: IEDC Awarded General Motors LLC Of Bedford, Indiana An $400,000 SEF Incentive To Retain 657 And Create 0 Jobs; To Date, General Motors Was Paid $0 And The Contract Remained “Active.” [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
March 13, 2013: A TAA Petition Was Filed On Behalf Of 35 Workers At General Motors Components Holdings LLC Of Kokomo, Indiana; Petition Was Certified On May 20, 2013. [Indiana Economic Development Corporation Transparency Portal, Accessed 7/15/16]
August 18, 2014: A TAA Petition Was Filed On Behalf Of 35 “Or More” Workers At General Motors Company Of Marion, Indiana; Petition Was Certified On October 8, 2014. [Department of Labor, 8/18/2014]
Summary
While Governor, a public-private partnership was finalized that required Indiana to pay a private firm as much as $2 billion to build and operate the Ohio River Bridge, regardless of tolls paid. Indiana did not determine potential revenues from tolls, and Pence defended the deal as “appropriate.” Pence also pledged public funds to the Illiana Expressway, which required the state to take on all of the risk.
March 2013: Under Pence, A Public Private Partnership Was Finalized That Required Indiana To Pay Private Firm As Much As $2 Billion Regardless Of Tolls Paid. According to the Courier-Journal, “Indiana’s deal to build a new Ohio River bridge from Utica to eastern Jefferson County is the state’s second arrangement giving private business control over transportation projects in ways that once belonged solely to state government. But unlike the lease of the Indiana Toll Road, which pumped billions of dollars into state coffers, this deal puts Indiana on the hook for as much as $2 billion over three decades in payments to a consortium that will design, build and operate the eastern span and surrounding roads. The ‘public-private partnership’ agreement that was finalized in late March places the burden on Indiana to pay the consortium - WVB East End Partners - a series of annual, escalating payments starting at $36.9 million once the bridge is open - regardless of how much toll revenue is collected and split with Kentucky as part of the larger Ohio River Bridges Project.” [Courier Journal, 4/11/13]
Indiana Did Not Conduct Toll Forecast To Determine Potential Revenues. According to the Courier-Journal, “In another departure from other toll roads, Indiana didn’t conduct a toll revenue forecast typically performed when projects are financed with bonds that are repaid directly with toll proceeds. Those forecasts, which Kentucky has undertaken, are done to assure investors buying bonds that toll revenues are expected to be sufficient. But Indiana chose not to conduct such a forecast because the state’s availability payments - not toll revenue - are backing the bonds.” [Courier Journal, 4/11/13]
Pence Called Using State Funds Rather Than Toll Revenues To Back Payments ‘Appropriate.’ According to the Courier-Journal, “For his part, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said in an interview that he supports the contracting and oversight method that was developed under the administration of his predecessor, Mitch Daniels. Asked whether he is concerned that the state’s transportation funds - instead of toll revenue - are being pledged to meet the availability payments, Pence said, ‘We really believe that the approach the Indiana Finance Authority has taken to the issuance of these bonds ... is the appropriate approach.’’ [Courier Journal, 4/11/13]
Reason Foundation’s Robert Poole: ‘The Taxpayers Are Still The Ones Left Holding The Bag, [...] Some New Toll Facilities - Bridges Or Toll Roads - Do End Up In Hindsight To Have Been Based On Overly Optimistic Projections Of Traffic Or Revenue.’ According to the Courier-Journal, “This funding approach is a shift away from traditional state projects in which private operators assumed the risk of toll revenues, said Robert Poole, transportation policy director at the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank. Overall, according to the Public Works Financing trade journal, the Indiana deal is the fourth partnership in the United States in which those payments are backed by state appropriations instead of toll revenue. And that’s a risk, he said. ‘The taxpayers are still the ones left holding the bag,’ Poole said. ‘Some new toll facilities - bridges or toll roads - do end up in hindsight to have been based on overly optimistic projections of traffic or revenue.’’ [Courier Journal, 4/11/13]
Pence Supported Plan To Build Illiana Expressway With A Public-Private Partnership. According to The Bond Buyer, “Indiana has announced a shortlist of four private teams that will compete to work on the state’s largest public-private partnership project, a $1.3 billion bi-state toll road with Illinois. The Indiana Finance Authority and the state transportation department tapped the four out of six that responded to a request for qualifications to work on the Illiana Expressway. The 47-mile toll highway would link Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana to Interstate 55 in Chicago’s southern suburbs. Both states plan to use public-private partnerships to finance the project. […]Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence are major supporters of the project, but it has sparked criticism from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and several Chicago area planning agencies.” [Bond Buyer, 3/4/14]
Toll Road News: Illiana Expressway ‘Looks Like A Crock.’ According to the Illinois Times, “Though the project has several prominent champions, including Quinn, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and several state politicians, critics have panned the idea as too risky and unneeded. Even the pro-toll news website Toll Road News says the Illiana Expressway ‘looks like a crock.’ ‘There are no population centers in the corridor; just a couple of small rural hamlets so no serious local traffic (and) no major centers that need connecting at either end,’ wrote Toll Road News reporter Peter Samuel in a 2013 editorial.” [Illinois Times, 9/18/14]
Summary
As a Congressman, Pence repeatedly called for a moratorium on earmark spending. However, Pence requested $40 million in federal earmarks, receiving earmarks every session he served in Congress.
November 2006: Pence Called For A Moratorium On Earmark Spending. According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “U.S. Congressman Mike Pence today called for Congress to impose a moratorium on earmarks and establish a Joint Select Committee to study earmark reform.” [Congressional Press Releases, 11/15/07]
November 2007: Pence: “It’s Time For Congress To Change The Way We Spend The People’s Money, Especially When It Comes To Earmarks.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via Congressional Press Releases, “‘It’s time for Congress to change the way we spend the people’s money, especially when it comes to earmarks,’ said Pence.” [Congressional Press Releases, 11/15/07]
2008: Pence Said He Got Earmarks In Each Session He’s Been In Congress. According to The Elkhart Truth, “Pence has not only admitted that fact, but blamed out-of-control earmarking by Republicans as one factor in their loss of the majority in 2006. Pence also has confessed to seeking earmarks every session he’s been in Congress. But he says he’s never traded a vote for an earmark, a common if unseemly practice, and he was among the first to post every appropriations request he makes on his Web site for all to see.” [Elkhart Truth, 2/13/08]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $8 Million Be Earmarked For Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center.According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$8 million to expand the Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $8 Million Be Earmarked For Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems To Develop Devices That Find And Detonate Hidden Explosives. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: $8 million for Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems in Anderson to develop devices that find and detonate hidden explosives.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $5.8 Million For Anderson’s Public Transportation System. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$5.8 million for Anderson's public transportation system. ” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $5.5 Million For Elwood To Reduce Sewer Overflows. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$5.5 million for Elwood to reduce sewer overflows.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $2.5 Million To Reduce Sewer Discharge In Anderson . According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$2.5 million to reduce sewer discharge in Anderson.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $4 Million To Widen 67th Street In Anderson. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$4 million to widen 67th Street in Anderson.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $3 Million For White River Flood Control Project In Anderson. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$3 million for a White River flood-control project in Anderson.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $2 Million For Anderson University’s Safe Campus Streets Project. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$2 million for Anderson University's Safe Campus Streets project.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $750,000 To Expand The Riley Children’s Cancer Center. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$750,000 to expand the Riley Children's Cancer Center.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
2007: Mike Pence Requested $450,000 To Teach Internet Safety To Middle School Children in Anderson. According to The Indianapolis Star, “Is it pork or is it prudent? U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Columbus, has requested the following earmarks for projects in Marion, Madison and Johnson counties: […]$400,000 to teach Internet safety to middle school children in Anderson.” [Indianapolis Star, 4/2/07]
January 2010: Pence: The Supreme Court Ruling On Citizens United “Takes Us One Step Closer To The Founding Fathers’ Vision Of Free Speech.” According to a Mike Pence press release obtained via The Office Of Rep. Mike Pence, “Freedom won today in the Supreme Court. Today’s ruling in the Citizens United case takes us one step closer to the Founding Fathers’ vision of free speech, a vision that is cherished by all Americans and one Congress has a responsibility to protect. If the freedom of speech means anything, it means protecting the right of private citizens to voice opposition or support for their elected representatives. The fact that the Court overturned a 20-year precedent speaks volumes about the importance of this issue. […]This decision is a victory on behalf of those who cherish the fundamental freedoms protected by the First Amendment.” [Office Of Rep. Mike Pence, 1/21/10]
2005: Pence Introduced A Campaign Finance Reform Bill That Would Have, In Part, Repealed The Total Campaign Contribution Limit From Individuals To A Candidate And Repealed The Limit That That Parties Can Spend On Candidates In A General Election. According to CRS via Congressional Quarterly, Pence introduced H.R. 1316, which would have “amend[ed] the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to repeal the limit on the aggregate amount of campaign contributions that may be made by individuals during an election cycle, to repeal the limit on the amount of expenditures political parties may make on behalf of their candidates in general elections for federal office, to allow state and local parties to make certain expenditures using nonfederal funds, to restore certain rights to exempt organizations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and for other purposes.” The bill was never considered by the full House. [CRS via Congressional Quarterly, 7/13/05; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1316]
2006: Pence Effectively Voted Against Requiring That The House Ethics Committee Investigate Jack Abramoff-Related Misconduct By Members Of Congress Or Their Staffs. In March 2006, Pence effectively voted against a motion to table a resolution that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “would ask the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to begin an investigation of the misconduct by members of Congress and their staff implicated in the scandals associated with lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s criminal activity.” The House tabled the underlying resolution by a vote of 216 to 193, killing it. [House Vote 76, 3/30/06; Congressional Quarterly, 3/30/06; Congressional Actions, H. Res. 746]
Pence Said That Challenges, Such As The Shutdown, To Delay Or Scale Back The Affordable Care Act Were “Worthwhile.” According to the Indianapolis Star, “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he’s frustrated by the federal government shutdown, mostly blames President Barack Obama for the stalemate and sees the repeal of a new medical device tax as the most promising solution. But the Republican governor reiterated Friday that he also sees challenges to delay or scale back the Affordable Care Act as worthwhile. Pence fielded a flurry of questions on those positions Friday morning while addressing reporters outside the Indiana Statehouse. He was preparing to rev up a Harley-Davidson to lead a charity motorcycle ride. Earlier this week, Pence defended his assertion that trying to scale back the health care was worthwhile. He said he didn’t mean to suggest he endorsed this week’s government shutdown, which is now in its fifth day. But he still backs any challenge to the health care law, whether by repealing, defunding or delaying its provisions.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/5/13]
Pence Blamed President Obama For The Stalemate Over The Government Shutdown. According to the Indianapolis Star, “Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he’s frustrated by the federal government shutdown, mostly blames President Barack Obama for the stalemate and sees the repeal of a new medical device tax as the most promising solution. But the Republican governor reiterated Friday that he also sees challenges to delay or scale back the Affordable Care Act as worthwhile. Pence fielded a flurry of questions on those positions Friday morning while addressing reporters outside the Indiana Statehouse. He was preparing to rev up a Harley-Davidson to lead a charity motorcycle ride. Earlier this week, Pence defended his assertion that trying to scale back the health care was worthwhile. He said he didn’t mean to suggest he endorsed this week’s government shutdown, which is now in its fifth day. But he still backs any challenge to the health care law, whether by repealing, defunding or delaying its provisions.” [Indianapolis Star, 10/5/13]
2001: Mike Pence Put A Mini Radio Studio In His Washington, D.C. Office. According to The Indianapolis Star, “WASHINGTON -- You can take the congressman out of the radio talk show, but you apparently can’t take the radio show out of the congressman. One of the first things Rep. Mike Pence, R-Indiana, did after taking office in January was create a mini-radio studio in his already cramped Washington office.” [Indianapolis Star, 3/27/01]
2012: Pence Took Two Trips On The Private Plane Of Investor Jerry Slusser. According to Pence’s financial disclosures, Pence took two trips in 2012 on the plane of Jerry Slusser, one in April going from Indianapolis to Washington D.C., and another in May going from Merrillville, IN, to Anderson, IN, with a stop in Fort Wayne, IN. [Personal Financial Disclosure, “Schedule VII – Travel Payments and Reimbursements,” Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Michael Pence, 2012]
In 1998, Jerry Slusser “Misappropriated” Nearly $6 Million Worth Of Customer Funds, Never Properly Registered His Trading Company, And Misrepresented His Practices As A Commodity Trader. According to a press release issued by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, “In an Initial Decision issued on August 24, 1998, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) George H. Painter found that, during 1989, Jerry W. Slusser, formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, and currently of Las Vegas, Nevada, and First Republic Financial Corporation (FRFC) (formerly known as Vancorp Financial Services) of Indianapolis, Indiana, misappropriated nearly $6 million of customer funds, made material misrepresentations and omissions of facts to customers, and failed to register with the Commission and make required disclosures in their operation of two commodity pools.” [CFTC, 09/04/1998]
[1] U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk. “Election Statistics.” Accessed September 3, 2014. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electioninfo/index.aspx; Indiana Election Division. “Election Results.” Accessed September 3, 2014. http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2400.htm; OpenSecrets.org. “Rep. Mike Pence.” Accessed September 3, 2014. http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=2010&type=I&cid=N00003765&newMem=N; National Institute on Money in State Politics. Accessed September 3, 2014. http://www.followthemoney.org/