Interview: Karen Pence talks 2020, her views on Trump and her job at Christian school – By Maureen Groppe (USA Today) / Nov 7 2019
WASHINGTON – Since her husband was elected vice president in 2016, Karen Pence has had to navigate the non-elected but public role of second lady.
She’s used the platform to advocate for military families and to promote art therapy and bee conservation.
A watercolor artist, Pence has collaborated with her daughter on a series of children’s books about the family rabbit.
And her return to the classroom this year to teach art at a Christian elementary school drew headlines because the school bans gay students and teachers.
As Pence steps up her involvement in the 2020 reelection campaign, she talked with USA TODAY about her campaign role and other issues.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
QUESTION: You’ve increased your social media presence and recently participated in a “Women for Trump” event in Minnesota. Is this an expansion of your campaign role?
Pence: That’s an interesting question to me because I’ve been campaigning since 1987 so it’s kind of funny for people to think that I’m suddenly campaigning. It may have that appearance, though, to people.
Actually, it’s been kind of fun. I think now the campaign is starting to realize that I want to be part of the campaign. I want to go and do what I can and do my part. And so they’re sending things my way more and more.
QUESTION: Is this very different from what you did in 2016?
Pence: I think in 2016 we were just planning it day by day. Where are we needed?, Where do we need to go? In 2016, (my daughter) Charlotte and I campaigned on the trail almost every single day. If I wasn’t there, Charlotte was there … I just think it probably would’ve been too much to organize it, to use us more. It was better for us to go as a team.
Continue to article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/11/07/second-lady-karen-pence-talks-2020-campaign-and-criticism/4169930002/
