Indiana bill would allow Gov. Mike Pence to seek two offices in 2016

A supporter of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will try to change state law so the Republican could run for re-election and the presidency at the same time in 2016.

Indiana state Sen. Mike Delph has submitted legislation for consideration in the new year that would allow a state lawmaker or sitting governor to seek re-election and a federal office at the same time.

"I think it's good for the state of Indiana to have a sitting governor in the national conversation and because of that I think it's in our interest to make the obstacles and roadblocks for Pence as minimal as possible," Delph told The Indianapolis Star.

Pence, a former congressman who is a favorite of conservatives, has been encouraged to run for president. He met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week while on a trade mission to Israel — raising speculation that the governor is trying to burnish his foreign policy credentials ahead of a possible White House bid.

States such as Texas, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Delaware allow a candidate to simultaneously seek the presidency or vice presidency and a federal office at the same time. Supporters of Sen. Rand Paul, who is considering a 2016 presidential bid, were unsuccessful when they tried to change Kentucky state law in the same way.

Delph's bill is different because it applies to a state lawmaker who also wants to seek the presidency, vice presidency or Congress. In 1988, Indiana lawmakers approved legislation that would have allowed two federal officeholders at the time — Lee Hamilton in the House and Richard Lugar in the Senate — to appear on the presidential ticket if they had decided to run for national office.