Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, according to multiple sources with the Republican National Convention and numerous news reports. The real estate mogul plans to announce his choice in New York on Friday morning.

Pence, 57, was one of several finalists for the ticket, also including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

Trump and members of his family spent Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Indiana meeting with Pence and his family.

Pence served six terms in Congress and is considered a steadfast conservative with strong ties to the evangelical Christian community. Last year he signed a controversial state law that would have allowed businesses to deny services to gay customers for religious reasons.

Pence was elected governor in 2012 and was up for re-election this year. Indiana law forbids candidates from simultaneously running for statewide office and on a presidential ticket, so Hoosiers have been speculating this week whether former Gov. Mitch Daniels might step in if Pence got the nod. Polls have shown Pence was in a tight race for his second term with Democratic challenger John Gregg.

When he was in Congress, Pence served as the chairman of the Republican Study Committee and was also chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Pence and his wife, Karen, have been married for 30 years and have three children.

On Thursday, House Speaker Paul Ryan, who was Mitt Romney’s running mate four years ago, signaled that Pence would be a good pick for vice president. “I hope that he picks a good movement conservative,” Ryan told reporters. “Clearly, Mike is one of those.”

RNC watchers suggested there was a clue that Trump’s pick would be Pence when the list of convention speakers was released late Wednesday night: except for Pence, all the other potential candidates had speaking slots.

Traditionally, the vice presidential candidate is introduced to Republicans with a speech on Wednesday night, ahead of the presidential candidate accepting the nomination on Thursday night to close the convention.

– ernest@coloradostatesman.com