Mike Pence files paperwork for 2024 presidential campaign

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Monday filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to launch his 2024 Republican presidential bid, setting him up to challenge his former boss, former President Donald Trump. 

The FEC filing comes as Pence is reportedly planning on launching his campaign on June 7, his birthday, during a rally in Des Moines, Iowa.

Pence is third in hypothetical primary surveys with 5.4% support on average, according to FiveThirtyEight, an outlet that averages surveys. With an average of 53.9%, Trump is far ahead of Pence. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also ahead of Pence with 21.1% support.

However, Pence is already ahead of other candidates who entered the field weeks and even months before him, such as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Polls also show that fewer Americans view Pence favorably than Trump. Pence's average favorability rating is 35.2% with 46.7% unfavorable, while 41.8% of people view Trump favorably on average compared to 53.9% who have an unfavorable view of him.

Pence is the eighth major candidate to formally enter the 2024 Republican presidential primary. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are expected to enter the race this week, bringing the number of major candidates up to ten.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.