Contact: Matt Lloyd, 765-635-6079, mikepence.com 

ANDERSON, Ind., May 5, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today Mike Pence announced  his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Indiana in 2012.  Mr. Pence informed supporters across the state via conference call, email, Facebook page and a video released at www.mikepence.com.

Pence also filed papers today with the Secretary of State's Election Division at the Indiana Statehouse, forming a campaign committee, "Mike Pence for Indiana."

The video links and transcript follow:

Video to watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFakXWUUwCY

Video for TV/Radio to download: tinyurl.com/429rf3u

Transcript: Hello, I'm Mike Pence.  This is my wife Karen.  As lifelong Hoosiers, we love Indiana.  The small towns and courthouse squares...big cities and open fields...the strong and good people of Indiana make up the heart of the Heartland.

Over the past several months, we've traveled across this state, meeting with people in every walk of life.  We've listened and learned where Hoosiers think we might best serve Indiana in the years ahead.

I've been humbled by the outpouring of encouragement we've received from people across this state... and it's for that reason today, I'm announcing my candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor of Indiana in 2012.

While a formal campaign kickoff will come later, I wanted you to be the first to know that I'm in this race.  We think now is the time to move forward... and any real Hoosier knows that every big race begins in May anyway.

Our state is on the edge of an era of growth and opportunity like no other in our lifetime.  Under the capable leadership of Governor Mitch Daniels, Indiana has set the pace in fiscal responsibility, job creation and reform.

But our work is not over.

To keep Indiana growing, Hoosiers know we must have principled leadership at every level to make the right choices.  We need to live within our means, and embrace policies that will create good jobs, great schools, safe streets and strong families.

It won't be easy, but we can't stop fighting to preserve our future or the blessings of liberty, because freedom's work is never done.

Those who know me, know I fight for what I believe in...and I believe in Indiana.

So I ask you to join our team.

Guided by common sense, conservative leadership, in the years to come, with your help, I know we can build an even better Indiana for our children and grandchildren.

We ask for your support and prayers, and we know that with your help and with God's help, Indiana's best days are yet to come.