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taking on clinton

Donald Trump selects vice president running mate in his bid to win the White House

Brash billionaire hopes right-wing Republican Mike Pence will be a winning choice

Donald Trump

DONALD Trump has revealed who his running mate will be in the fight to stop Hillary Clinton winning the race for the White House.

The presumptive Republican nominee tweeted the news he has chosen the Governor of Indiana Mike Pence.

Donald Trump
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This guy: Donald Trump points to the man he has chosen to be his running mate in the American presidential electionCredit: Reuters
Donald Trump
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Donald Trump's choice of Mike Pence is likely to appeal to some leading Republicans who are concerned about the presidential hopefulCredit: Getty Images

Pence was up against former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich and the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie for the role.

Both other candidates were viewed as fighters who would attack the Democratic Party's candidate Hillary Clinton in the media, while Pence is seen as more conventionally statesmanlike.

He initially endorsed Ted Cruz's candidacy in a radio interview before the Indiana primary.

But at the same time he commended Trump's understanding of Republican voters.

He said: "I particularly want to commend Donald Trump, who I think has given voice to the frustration of millions of Americans with the lack of progress in Washington."

The choice of Pence is likely to appeal to some of the leading Republicans with concerns about Trump, such as Paul Ryan, who calls Pence a "personal friend".

Pence is most known for his work on a controversial religious freedom bill that would have allowed business owners to refuse services for same-sex weddings.

After critics slammed the law for sanctioning homophobia, he was forced to sign an amendment forbidding its use to discriminate against gay people.

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Mike Pence is the Governor of Indiana which has the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act on its booksCredit: Getty Images

As governor he signed an anti-abortion law that even some pro-life Republicans thought was too extreme - but a federal judge blocked it from going into effect last month because it violated women's right to choose.

The presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton will announce her running mate late next week.

Likely choices for the role include Virginia senator Tim Kaine, Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, and agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack.

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