Michael Pence Supports His Dad's Political Career

Now that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump's verbal sparring is over (for now), it's time to see how their running mates handle the spotlight. Vice presidential candidates Gov. Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Kaine will square off in the one and only vice presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. More than anything, it will be an opportunity for voters to get more familiar with the running mates' character. Pence, for example, is often depicted as a family man, but will his son Michael Pence be at the vice presidential debate?

As Trump's veep pick, Pence has reportedly been preparing for this debate since July. Needless to say, the debate is an important moment for him, and one that has likely been on his family's radar since he was named the Republican vice presidential candidate. Despite training to be a Marine Corps pilot, Michael, the oldest of Pence's three children, has been seen on the campaign trail alongside his father (and occasionally fiancée Sarah Whiteside) at various times.

Michael reportedly joined the Marines in 2015 after graduating from Purdue University the previous year, according to the Chicago Tribune. After completing basic training, Marine 2nd Lt. Michael J. Pence headed to Pensacola, Florida, for Marine Corps pilot training. As of late July, Michael was assigned to Training Command, Marine Aviation Training Support Group-21, Training Command spokesman Capt. Joshua Pena said, according to Military.com.

While it's unclear if Michael will be watching his father debate Sen. Kaine in person at Longwood University, Pence's political career has reportedly always been "a family affair," according to the Indiana governor. "This has always been a family affair for us," Pence told WTHR after being elected governor of Indiana in 2013, "from the very first campaign headed out to county fairs, while Karen and I would be shaking hands at the Republican tent, the kids would be standing out in front of the tent, handing out fliers and shaking hands."

Pence has reportedly been using mock debates to help him prepare for Tuesday's debate against Sen. Kaine with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker acting as a stand-in for his opponent. Although the vice presidential debate hasn't generated the same anticipation as Clinton and Trump's first debate did, it will be an opportunity for Pence to clarify some of Trump's policy proposals and remind Republican voters that he, unlike the elected GOP presidential candidate, has some experience in political office. No matter what, the vice presidential debate isn't one you'll want to miss.