Ex-veep launches conservative advocacy group
Former Vice President Mike Pence launched a new policy and advocacy organization to “promote the profreedom policies of the last four years” in a possible sign he’s gearing up for a 2024 presidential bid.
“Advancing American Freedom” was announced on Wednesday with the backing of several prominent Trump administration officials, including former White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway and former chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow.
“Advancing American Freedom plans to build on the success of the last four years by promoting traditional Conservative values and promoting the successful policies of the Trump Administration,” Pence said in a statement. “Conservatives will not stand idly by as the radical Left and the new administration attempt to threaten America’s standing as the greatest Nation in the world with their destructive policies.”
The former VP’s new advocacy group appears to come with former President Donald Trump’s blessing, according to the Washington Examiner, in a sign that the rift between the two, opened up when Trump attacked Pence for refusing to intervene in the Electoral College vote certification on his behalf, could be healing. Pence was also the target of threats from rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 and disrupted the congressional tally.
Other former Trump officials backing the 501(c)(4) venture include Robert Lighthizer, Seema Verma, Russ Vought and Andrew Wheeler.
Several prominent conservatives and political leaders are also on the organization’s board, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, and former U.S. Sens. Jim DeMint and Rick Santorum.
Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who sparred with Trump over Arizona’s 2020 presidential election results, is also on board.
Pence has been largely out of the public eye since President Biden’s inauguration. He joined the Heritage Foundation as a distinguished visiting fellow in February and plans to give his first post-White House speech later this month at an event hosted by the conservative Palmetto Family Council in South Carolina.
Pence’s return to the spotlight comes as several prominent Republicans with eyes on 2024 step up their appearances in early nominating states. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Iowa and then virtually addressed New Hampshire Republicans last month at a fundraiser for GOP candidate Bill Boyd in the special election to succeed the late state Rep. Dick Hinch.
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., appeared remotely at another New Hampshire GOP fundraiser for Boyd this week.
Yet Trump’s shadow looms over them all as the former president teases a possible 2024 bid. Biden said he’s also planning to run again.