Pence, Daniels ready for transition

WISH TV

Updated: Nov 7, 2012 6:24 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Governor-elect Mike Pence and Governor Mitch Daniels met with each other both before and after making themselves available to the media on Wednesday. During that availability Pence made it clear that, while he won't leave Congress until the end of his term, he is already starting to build a new state administration.

The Republican Pence, who defeated Democrat John Gregg, declared the campaign over and said he is now entering an era of service. He named Bill Smith, his chief of staff in Congress, to be the chairman of his transition committee and left open the possibility that key members of the Daniels administration will remain in their posts.

Pence will take office with super majorities in both Houses of the General Assembly but said Wednesday morning that he will reach out to everyone in the state.

"I look very much forward to working with members of both political parties in the House and the Senate," said Pence, "to move forward on our agenda."

"From our end... absolutely anything we can do to ensure that the handoff is flawless," said Daniels, "and that high levels of service continue."

Pence said he is disappointed that Republican Tony Bennett lost the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. But he said he hopes to work with newly-elected Democrat Glenda Ritz.

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