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With Mike Pence out, what's next for the Ind. Governor's race?

Posted at 6:03 PM, Jul 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-16 01:16:49-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Governor Mike Pence officially removed his name from the ballot for re-election Friday morning just after 11 a.m., approximately one hour before the deadline for him to do so.

One of Pence's attorneys delivered the document with Pence's official signature, in lieu of Donald Trump's choice to make Pence his vice presidential running mate as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

So what's next for the Hoosier State's leadership? A new primary vote? 

Actually no, the voters won't pick Pence's replacement on the ballot. The decision will be made by the Republican Central Committee.

#PenceWatch blog: Latest updates on Trump VP choice

The appointed group includes 24 members, representing each congressional district in the state.

By law, the committee is required to meet within 30 days of the vacancy.

Twenty-two (22) of the members vote. Two serve in more of an advisory role.

Committee member Tom John says he thinks there will be a consensus process where Governor Pence's opinion is going to have a large impact.

John confirms as many as 10 people have expressed interest in the job.

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He says the committee will take a number of factors into consideration.

"One of the big questions, I think, is going to boil down to electability. What does the campaign between now and November look like against Mr. Gregg, who provides the best contrast against Mr. Gregg," said John.

The Director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics says this scenario is the first of its kind in our state.

"There actually was legislation introduced that would have allowed for a number of people to occupy two spots on the ballot, but that legislation didn't even come to the floor for a vote."

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