US: Trump to choose Indiana Gov. as VP pick: reports

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, will tap Indiana Gov. Mike Pence to be his vice presidential candidate, multiple reports claimed Thursday.

Pence is a former member of Congress who spent 10 years in the House of Representatives before assuming the governorship in 2013.

He is among a handful of prominent current and former officials that Trump is reportedly mulling, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie, Pence and Gingrich have each recently met with Trump and his family.

The Indy Star newspaper confirmed that Pence will be the pick, and the New York Times said Trump’s campaign has informed Republicans in Washington of his impending announcement.

Multiple calls and emails to Pence's team by Anadolu Agency went unanswered.

Pence is currently running for re-election, and has until Friday to formally withdraw from the race.

Trump said he will make his pick known Friday in Manhattan.

If he does choose Pence, the move could help him shore up support among the religious right – a key demographic for the Republican Party that Trump has failed to sway.

Recent polls show Trump in a virtual dead heat with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who has been dogged by issues of trust and allegations of impropriety linked to her misuse of a personal email server while she was America’s top diplomat.