Mike Pence files to run for Indiana governor - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Mike Pence filed ballot petition signatures Monday morning to run for Indiana governor.

"Today, I am making it official. I am seeking the Republican nomination for governor in the state of Indiana," Pence said.

Pence marched into Government Center south with around 100 volunteers, including at least one from every county in the state, to file signature petitions to run for governor.

He says his campaign will be about continuity and aspiration. He wants to build on Governor Mitch Daniels' foundation of maintaining strong reserves, because Pence believes by doing so, it gives business the assurance it needs to grow.

"I believe that Indiana is going to be one of the leading states in the country with the opportunity to cut taxes for working families, small businesses and family farms. We will look for opportunities for tax relief in 2013 and 2014," Pence said.

Pence says he will use television to help define his vision, his character and his family sooner than later. That would certainly give him an early advantage of his GOP challenger, Jim Wallace.

On the Democratic side, John Gregg is expected to submit his signatures to the Secretary of State's office on Thursday.

Pence far outpaces his competition in campaign funds at over $5 million, according to Eyewitness News partners at The Indianapolis Star. The Star reports Wallace has raised $1 million and Gregg has $1.7 million in campaign funds.

Rupert Boneham, Survivor star, is running for governor as a Libertarian. He doesn't have to worry about collecting signatures. State law allows minority parties to conduct nominating conventions.

Pence is touting his 12 years in Washington as 6th District congressman. Eyewitness News asked him if serving in the nation's capital was a good thing.

"To get this economy moving again in Indiana, we will have to have leadership in Indianapolis that knows how to say 'yes' to Indiana and 'no' to Washington D.C.," Pence said.

Pence believes that experience better equips him to be governor. His opponents will no doubt counter that Washington is the problem.