Running mate Mike Pence: Conservative but not angry about it

Two decades later, Pence is the unflappable conservative governor of Indiana who's being plucked by Republican presidential contender Donald Trump as his running mate.

Trump announced on Twitter Friday morning that he's selected Pence as his running mate, capping a wild 24 hours of speculation interrupted by the truck attack in Nice, France, that left scores dead.

For Pence, a former six-term congressman, Trump's selection offers a return to national politics after his embrace as governor of conservative social issues sidelined his own presidential ambitions.

Pence's support of the state's religious objections law led to a revolt from the business community, which joined gay rights advocates in successfully pushing for changes to the law.

In a 1991 essay titled "Confessions of a Negative Campaigner," Pence swore off harsh political tactics he used in "one of the most divisive and negative campaigns in Indiana's modern congressional history" while calling for "basic human decency."

Pence's congressional experience is one trait that Trump, who has never held public office, wanted in a running mate.

[...] he has also presided over Indiana's improving economy and plummeting unemployment rate, which Republicans credit to the state's low taxes, limited regulation and pro-business climate.