'Liddle' Mike Pence—bigger in the primary than ever

Plus: A scoop on Todd Rokita's potential Democratic challenger.

FIRST IN IMPORTANTVILLE: Jesse Harper—a Porter County attorney and twice-elected Center Township trustee—is seriously considering seeking the Democratic nomination for Indiana attorney general, according to two Hoosier Democrats familiar with his thinking. He’d challenge Republican incumbent Todd Rokita.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK: Congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Banks will keynote its state dinner on Aug. 10 at the JW Marriott.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE READING IMPORTANTVILLE: It was buzzy news this weekend when the Columbus-based The Republic newspaper reported that “Governor candidate Suzanne Crouch asks Rep. Greg Pence to consider being her running mate,” as the headline ran. (Scroll down for the latest development on that end).

But readers like you first learned that—with on-the-record confirmation from Pence and Crouch’s campaign—61 days ago.

The headline: “CROUCH ASKED GREG PENCE TO CONSIDER JOINING THE TICKET”

The reporting: “I am not,” Pence told me when I asked if he was “looking at running” with Crouch. “We’re not looking at anything. She has asked me if I would be her lieutenant governor if she wins. I’m supporting her. I’m way behind her. I’ve endorsed her. We’ll see in a year.”

"Suzanne Crouch has asked Greg to consider being her running mate but we all know she has to win the primary and any final decisions would be after,” a Crouch spokesperson told IMPORTANTVILLE back in June. “In the meantime, Greg Pence is 110% behind her and working hard to help her win the nomination.”

All that to say: IMPORTANTVILLE does truly drive the news cycle in Indiana, and I’m grateful for your support.

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