As the news cycle spins ahead of the Republican convention next week, speculation has been mounting that Governor Pence (R-IN) will be joining Donald Trump's campaign as the Vice Presidential nominee. What does his potential selection mean for taxpayers?
Before taking up office as the head of state in Indiana, Governor Pence served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2001-2012, including time as the chairman of the Republican Study Committee. National Taxpayers Union tracked Governor Pence during his time on the Hill and rated him, along with all U.S. Representatives and Senators, on every vote that affected taxes, spending, and debt. You can see a summary of his activity below.
Governor Pence scored 40 points above the average Representative during his time in office achieving a commendable "A" rating in 8 of his 12 years. His scores reveal a pattern of consistency in a time when the House rankings varied greatly. While his best score came in 2009 (92%), his best ranking came in 2006 (4th).
| Year | Grade | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | B+ | 81% | 65 |
| 2011 | B+ | 82% | 60 |
| 2010 | B+ | 89% | 57 |
| 2009 | A | 92% | 22 |
| 2008 | A | 88% | 10 |
| 2007 | A | 91% | 11 |
| 2006 | A | 83% | 4 |
| 2005 | A | 75% | 11 |
| 2004 | A | 78% | 28 |
| 2003 | A | 76% | 16 |
| 2002 | B | 59% | 83 |
| 2001 | A | 76% | 16 |