Pence Says He Was ‘Shocked’ GOP Did not Win Extra Seats in Midterms

• Mike Pence mentioned he was “stunned” that Republicans did not win extra seats within the 2022 midterms.
• Whereas on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” Pence mentioned residents need the GOP to concentrate on the long run.
• Pence, who final week launched his memoir, continues to mull over a 2024 presidential marketing campaign.

Former Vice President Mike Pence throughout an interview that aired on Sunday mentioned he was “stunned” and “upset” that Republicans did not choose up extra seats within the November midterm elections, however mentioned he felt assured within the talents of the incoming Home GOP management.

During an interview on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” Pence advised host Margaret Brennan that whereas he needed to see bigger Republican margins in Congress, a “win is a win.”

“I used to be stunned. I used to be upset on the end result of the election in that regard, though, I used to be there the final time that we defeated Nancy Pelosi’s majority and I am wanting ahead to the day that Kevin McCarthy is elected Speaker of america Home and leads the Republican majority,” he mentioned. “A win is a win, however I’d have preferred to see extra Republicans elected to Congress. I’d have preferred to have seen a Republican majority within the Senate.”

Headed into the election, Republicans had been broadly favored by many political observers to not solely flip many Democratic-held Home seats en path to a majority, however within the ultimate weeks of the election cycle, the GOP was additionally pushing onerous for management of the Senate.

Nevertheless, Democrats held on to the Senate, successful key contests in Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, whereas additionally main within the Georgia Senate race — which will head to a December 6 runoff election after incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock received barely lower than 50% of the vote in opposition to Republican Herschel Walker.

And Republicans solely just lately clinched management of the Home; with practically all of the races referred to as, the GOP at present has a 219-211 edge. 

Pence — who served within the Home from 2001 to 2013 earlier than leaving to turn into governor of Indiana — mentioned that residents needed to see Republicans concentrate on the long run as soon as they retake management of the decrease chamber subsequent 12 months.

“I’ve each confidence that the brand new Republican management within the Congress, the brand new Republican majority when Nancy Pelosi fingers the gavel to Kevin McCarthy, goes to attract the teachings from the midterm marketing campaign which for me give proof of the truth that the American individuals need the Republican Get together and admittedly, all of our leaders to be centered on the long run,” he mentioned, pointing to points that embrace the economic system and immigration. “I feel what you are going to see is Republican management and the Congress that is going to concentrate on these points. And I feel that is the place individuals need us centered.”

The previous vice chairman continues to mull over a possible 2024 presidential marketing campaign, which if he entered into the race would pit him in opposition to his outdated boss, former President Donald Trump, who formally launched his marketing campaign for the GOP nomination final week.