Karen Pence enjoys First Lady role

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Karen Pence says she's enjoying her role as First Lady of Indiana. But, she has discovered that people expect more from her now than they did when her husband, the Governor, was a Congressman.

That's why she appreciates the advice that's come from other First Ladies.

“They all said: you just have to be yourself. Just follow the things that are your passion, if there's an area you want to make a difference,” Mrs. Pence said. “That's been a nice thing -- that I feel like I do have a little bit of a bully pulpit now for things that I'm passionate about.  So that's been nice."

The First Lady talked to 24-Hour News 8 Anchor Eric Halvorson and gave him the first TV look at her new Statehouse office. 

She said its furnishings came from what was Cherie Daniels' office at the Governor's Residence. Moving everything there created an extra bedroom for the Pence family, for the son who's still at home.

Karen Pence said leaving Washington offers more family time. But, it's still a challenge. 

"The staff has just been scheduling Mike so intensely that I feel like saying to them: we're not campaigning right now. So, you can slow down just a little bit. He's really going full out, still. It is nice to know we don’t actually have to run again for four years."

Mrs. Pence will have a full schedule of her own.

One new responsibility will be as ambassador for the State Bicentennial Commission.

She'll help with plans for the state's 200th birthday in 2016.