Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his widely anticipated campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa next week, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss.

Pence will hold a kick-off event in Des Moines on June 7, the date of his 64th birthday, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details ahead of the official announcement. He will also release a video message as part of the launch.

His team sees early voting in Iowa as crucial to his possible path to victory and advises

O

rs say he plans to aggressively campaign for the conservative,

e

evangelical Christian voters. The campaign is expected to rely heavily on town halls and high street stores aimed at showcasing Pence’s persona as he attempts to emerge from former President Trump’s shadow.

The week will be a busy one for GOP announcements. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie plans to launch his campaign Tuesday evening at a New Hampshire and North Dakota Gov. town hall event. Doug Burgum

will is expected

announce June 7 in Fargo.