Although he has not yet announced his candidacy, former Vice President Mike Pence is clearly running for president, and he hopes that attacks on the Transgender community will advance his campaign.

The so-called Advancing American Freedom (AAF) PAC — founded by Pence — has announced a huge ad buy in Iowa targeting Trans youth and their families. According to the Huffington Post, AAF will spend more than $1 million for several months' worth of TV and online ads.

The Linn-Mar school district in Iowa recently decided to offer its students the ability to socially transition at school, without their parents' consent. Pence hopes to use this as a wedge issue to cement support for his presidential run.

"The strength of our nation is tied to the strength of our families, and we cannot stand idly by as the Radical Left attempts to indoctrinate our children behind parents' backs," Pence said in a statement released by AAF.

"Advancing American Freedom will not rest until parental rights are restored in Iowa and across the nation."

The AAF press release went to say that its "grassroots campaign will consist of educating Iowans on the ongoing efforts by the radical left to strip parents of their rights to guide and protect their children, to indoctrinate children, and to advance their divisive woke agenda.

"Additionally, AAF will advocate for policies that restore parental rights and protect Iowa's children through digital ads, rallies and events, and volunteer advocacy efforts."

Some parents are already suing the Linn-Mar Community School District to prevent it from implementing gender-affirming policies. AAF joined 20 other right-wing organizations in a November 2022 amicus brief filed with the trial court.

Pence appeared at a campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on February 15. Nikki Haley, Former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador for the Trump administration — another GOP presidential hopeful — is planning to campaign across Iowa also, while South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson are expected to visit Iowa later in the month.

Pence has described himself as "a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order." He is a consistent enemy of LGBTQ rights, dating as far back as 2006, when he pushed a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages nationally.