Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is one of many Republican political figures widely considered as a potential candidate for the 2016 nomination for president. Daniels considered a 2012 run, but decided against seeking the nomination at that time.
Daniels is currently the president of Purdue University. A Daniels 2016 campaign would rely on the extensive political background of this GOP presidential hopeful.
Urgent: Do You Support Mitch Daniels for the GOP Nomination? Vote Here Now
- Interned with Richard Lugar, Mayor-Turned-U.S. Senator - Mitch Daniels started his political career while still a teenager by helping on the U.S. Senate campaign of William Ruckleshaus. When Ruckleshaus lost, the candidate helped Daniels earn an internship position with Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar. Within three years, Daniels had worked his way up to be Lugar's principal assistant, according to the Indianapolis Star. When Lugar won a Senate seat, Daniels moved to Washington with him and became his chief of staff.
- Worked in the Reagan Administration - Daniels worked as a senior political advisor to President Ronald Reagan and liaison for political and intra-governmental affairs from November 1985 to March 1987.
- George W. Bush's Director of Office of Management and Budget - Daniels earned the nickname “The Blade” as President George W. Bush's budget advisor, according to The American Spectator. His work trying to keep the White House's fiscal house in order despite a significantly over-budget Iraq War helped Daniels make tough budgetary decisions in Indiana.
- Head of Hudson Institute, a Conservative Think Tank - While serving as president and CEO of the Hudson Institute, then based in Indianapolis, it helped Daniels practice thinking in what he termed a “perpendicular direction.” In an interview with American Outlook, he said, “Conventional wisdom was to be doubted, and we were committed to following the data where it led and to be hard headed about approaching all problems and issues that way.”
Urgent: Who Should the GOP Nominate in 2016? Vote Here Now
- Executive at Eli Lilly - Daniels worked at the pharmaceutical company for about 10 years. He helped the company fight a PR campaign against its Prozac product. Daniels created a counterattack strategy that was so effective that Lilly promoted him to head of their North America division, and prompted the Church of Scientology to sue him for libel, according to The Weekly Standard.
- Two-term Governor of Indiana - “The Blade” entered the Indiana governor's race in 2004, campaigning on budget cutting. Daniels won the race 53 percent to incumbent Joe Kernan's 43 percent. His 57.8 percent win for a second term made him a potential presidential candidate for 2012.
- Discussed as Presidential and Vice Presidential possibility in 2012 - Daniels' success as Indiana governor led to the tea party wing of the GOP encouraging him to run for the 2012 nomination. After delaying a decision to May, he eventually told press and supporters that “the interests and wishes of my family is the most important consideration of all,” and removed himself from the race, as published in Real Clear Politics.
- President of Purdue University - Despite not having a background in academia, Purdue University picked Daniels to be its president upon the end of his gubernatorial term. His fund-raising and budget skills have helped freeze or reduce some tuition and fees at the university.
Vote Now: Which Potential GOP Candidate Would You Support in 2016?
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.