Indiana has smiled on the older brother of the state’s chosen son and the nation’s current No. 2, welcoming the newest political dynasty into the world in the process. Greg Pence just won the House seat formerly held by Vice President Mike Pence.
The Associated Press called the race for the 6th Congressional District shortly after 7 p.m. With 29 percent reporting, the New York Times confirmed, Pence defeated self-funding businessman Jonathan Lamb 66.8 to 23 percent. The seat was vacated by Rep. Luke Messer, who left it to run for Senate.
No one should be surprised. Everyone should take notice.
A Democrat hasn’t represented the district since the early days of former President Ronald Reagan’s administration, meaning that the general election is likely a formality and the elder Pence is almost definitely a shoe-in. Vice President Pence held it for over a decade before deciding to run for governor in 2013. His older brother might hold it long, long after the current administration clears out of the White House.
This makes the 6th Congressional District something of a political heirloom, a keepsake not unlike the ones that can be found inside the Pence family antique mall. And this little victory could be enough to earn them junior membership into the political country club inhabited by the likes of the Bush and Clinton families.
