Pence gets ‘Hoosier homecoming’ after VP announcement

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — After formally being announced as Republican Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence returned to the state on Saturday night with a simple message to more than 400 supporters at a Zionsville airport: “Hello, Indiana!”

“The last few days have been pretty overwhelming,” an emotional Pence told the crowd alongside his wife, Karen. “But this is the best part. Karen and I will cherish this Hoosier homecoming for the rest of our lives.”

Pence spent most of his time at his brief welcome home rally thanking those who made what he described “this unimaginable moment” possible.

But he also made a request.

“Let’s make Indiana the first state on the board to make Donald Trump the 45th president of the United States,” Pence said, “and send another Hoosier to the vice president’s office.”

Turning to his family, Pencechoked up while thanking his kids for their “unflinching love and tireless effort,” and his mom who “always believed in every one of us.”

To cheers of the crowd, Pence promised to take Hoosier ideals to Washington D.C, and said “there really is no place like home.”

Pence landed at Indianapolis Executive Airport shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, after a whirlwind visit to New York, where he was named the presumed Republican presidential candidate’s running mate.

Pence now will pursue dual missions — serving as Indiana’s governor and Trump’s running mate. A spokesman for the governor’s office confirmed Friday that Pence “has no plans to resign” before his term expires in January.

Follow Chelsea Schneider on Twitter: @IndyStarChelsea