Audrey Pence Doesn't Mirror Mike's Politics

When it comes to politics, and especially during the contentious 2016 election, some of us will breathe a sigh of relief that just because we love the people who brought us into the world, doesn’t mean we have to share the same political preferences. That is, unless, you’re the daughter of — oh, I don’t know — Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate. Mike Pence’s youngest daughter isn’t the reliably conservative voter that her father probably raised her to be, but is Audrey Pence a Republican? This could make for an awkward post-election Thanksgiving gathering.

As the governor of Indiana, Pence has made his conservative values clear. The hallmark of his time in office has included signing abortion measures into law that even anti-choice politicians called overreaching, solidifying the fight against abortion as his “most enduring legacy,” as the New York Times’ Monica Davey and Michael Barbara put it. On a national scale, Pence garnered both notoriety and praise for his support of Indiana’s religious freedom law that would’ve shielded businesses who didn’t want to provide services for same-sex weddings (he later signed a revised version of the bill). So, there is little doubt about Pence’s conservative credentials, even when it comes to social issues.

The same can’t be said of Audrey Pence. In a 2013 interview with NBC Indianapolis affiliate WTHR, Audrey — who was then a senior in high school — admitted that she voted a split ticket in the 2012 election just after she had turned 18. Even more, Audrey said that she considers herself politically independent and socially liberal. Audrey did say, though, that she voted for dear old dad during his gubernatorial race.

Audrey, who is now a senior at Northeastern University, said in 2013 that despite their political views, the person she gets “the most respect from” is her dad. “He tells me so many times, ‘I am so proud of you for having your own opinions and looking into things,’” she told WTHR.

Audrey hasn’t spoken publicly about her political views during the 2016 election, so it’s unclear if she’s a fan of her father’s running mate. But it wouldn’t be the first time that the child of a politician didn't agree with certain aspects of their parent's political views or their campaign. Meghan McCain, daughter of John McCain, is noted for being (relative to her Republican father) liberal on social issues. Both Meghan and John were open about disagreeing on same-sex marriage, and after her father's 2008 presidential run, Meghan was very vocal about her negative feelings towards Sarah Palin.

Interestingly, it looks like the holidays could be weird at the McCain household after the turbulent 2016 election. Meghan has continually slammed Trump, while her father, who is running to keep his seat as a U.S. Senator for Arizona, has endorsed him. Maybe Meghan and Audrey should have their own support group, or at the very least a Friendsgiving celebration.