Indiana GOP Gov. Mike Pence
GOP Gov. Mike Pence may have been hoping that his popularity would rebound as voters gradually forgot about this spring's Religious Freedom Restoration Act debacle but so far, it's not happening. Howey Politics reports that unreleased campaign surveys
paint a pretty ugly picture for Pence: His statewide re-elect numbers are "in the low 30 percent" area, and his approval rating is underwater.
Pence and legislative Republicans are reportedly trying to put the RFRA matter behind them once and for all by adding sexual orientation to the state's civil rights code, though any legislation wouldn't pass until the legislature meets again in January. The GOP's hope is that they can then direct voters' attention to the economy just in time for Pence's re-election. But plenty of influential Republicans still sound concerned about Pence's prospects next year against Democrat John Gregg.
Howey Politics says that state House Speaker Brian Bosma was approached by unidentified Republicans about a possible primary campaign against Pence. Bosma hasn't commented on what happened, but Bosma reportedly was "hearing out" worried Republicans. It doesn't sound like Bosma is actually interested in taking on Pence, though this kind of chatter doesn't do much to dispel the idea that Pence is in serious trouble. Indiana is a conservative state and Pence may yet hold onto the governor's office, but none of this should have Republicans feeling good about next year.