Staunch conservative U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has repeatedly demonstrated his steadfast commitment to defending the often unpredictable President Donald Trump, despite their contrast in demeanor.
As the grandson of an Irish immigrant, Pence, 61, was born and raised in Columbus in the Midwestern state of Indiana. As a youth, he idolized former Democratic President John F. Kennedy, who was also of Irish descent.
After graduating university, Pence practiced law, led a free-market think tank in Indiana and hosted a local conservative talk radio show called "The Mike Pence Show" before entering the House of Representatives at the age of 40.
He served as a Republican congressman for 12 years and was elected as Indiana's governor in 2012. He promoted Japanese investment in the state, where many Japanese automakers and other companies made advances.
Pence was elected vice president in November 2016 when Trump, a New York real estate developer who had never held public office before, won the presidency.
He has described himself as "a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order" and is popular with conservative evangelical Christians, a key support base for Trump.
Pence and his wife Karen, whom he met at a church service, have been married since 1985 and they have three adult children. Karen is a former elementary school teacher and an award-winning watercolor artist.
Also known as for his conservative views on issues like abortion and LGBT rights, Pence reportedly said in 2002 that, unless his wife is there, he never eats alone with another woman or attends events where alcohol is being served.
Pence is widely viewed as a potential presidential candidate in 2024.
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