The Independent View: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is Donald Trump's VP Pick

From the INDIANAPOLIS STAR:

Gov. Mike Pence is dropping his re-election bid in Indiana to become Donald Trump’s running mate.

The long-awaited decision upends the political landscape in Indiana and at least partially remakes the Trump campaign in Pence’s image.

In Pence, Trump has added a social conservative who GOP strategists say will reassure rank-and-file Republicans that Trump can be trusted to pursue their interests. Veteran political observers say Pence, a former U.S. House member, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and current Gov. of Indiana, will provide a disciplined counter to Trump’s improvisational campaign style. Pence also brings fundraising power and credibility on a wide range of policy issues that are important to conservatives.

He could become the first Vice President from Indiana since Dan Quayle took office in 1989 under George H.W. Bush.

Pence’s departure for national politics sets up a scramble among Indiana Republicans to determine who will replace Pence to run against Democratic challenger John Gregg in the November Gubernatorial election.

For the first time in State history, the Indiana Republican State Committee will determine the GOP candidate for Governor. The 22-member panel has 30 days from the date Pence officially withdraws his candidacy to choose Pence’s replacement on the ballot. Indiana law does not permit candidates to run for two offices simultaneously in November. Furthermore, the deadline for candidates to withdraw is June 15.

Once it’s clear who will be vying for the Republican nomination, the committee must provide a 10-day notice before it votes.

The field of candidates already includes at least two elected officials. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma and U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita have declared their intentions to run.

Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has not yet publicly said he will seek the office, is thought to be a front-runner. Congress member Susan Brooks has also withdrawn from her U.S. House race, so the Republican Party will choose a replacement for her as well. Brooks hopes to obtain the Party’s Gubernatorial nomination.

The most recent poll, which was conducted in May, showed Pence leading Gregg 40% to 36%, a virtual tie when factoring in the 4% margin of error. Pence defeated Gregg in the 2012 race by 3 percentage points.

UPDATE
Indiana Congress member Todd Rokita also withdrew from his U.S. House race, only six minutes before the deadline. Therefore the Indiana Republican Party will also have to replace him.