ANALYSIS: How the Pence Campaign Aims to Win Nomination, Remake Party

Mr. Pence is banking on the alignment of three stars to create a winning platform: President Trump’s record, old-school conservatism, and basic civility. Along the way, he must answer the question raised by many Republican voters concerning his loyalty to the president and the party on Jan. 6.

Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a campaign rally on the Des Moines Register SoapBox stage at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 10, 2023. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Former Vice President Mike Pence faces a Herculean task.

Winning a major party’s nomination for president is a complex and arduous feat, even for former vice presidents. Despite having held national office and enjoying almost universal name recognition, only six former vice presidents have been elected to the top job directly, without having first gained the office through the death or resignation of the president.