Pence officially files to run for governor

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's gubernatorial candidates are submitting the thousands of signatures needed to get on the ballot that also double as early signs of support for their bids for the Statehouse.

Republican Rep. Mike Pence turned in more than 13,000 signatures from supporters to get his name on Indiana's statewide ballot for the governor's race. Pence and about 100 supporters walked 92 boxes of signatures Monday morning to the Indiana Elections Division.

"My wife Karen and I are deeply humbled by the outpouring of support that is represented here," said Pence, adding that he plans to begin rolling out specific policy proposals next month after the Indiana General Assembly finishes its 2012 session.

Rebecca Pearcey, campaign manager for Democratic candidate John Gregg, said he expects to submit his signatures Thursday. She said the campaign had collected roughly 7,600 signatures as of Monday. A spokesman for GOP candidate Jim Wallace did not immediately respond to an email Monday morning.

Former "Survivor" TV star Rupert Boneham did not have to collect any signatures because of state rules which let "minor" parties like the state Libertarian Party conduct closed nominating conventions. The Libertarian Party meets March 24 to pick its candidates.

Statewide candidates were required to collect signatures from 500 registered voters in each of the state's nine congressional districts by Jan. 31. Pence and Wallace will face off in May's Republican primary. The winner is then set face Gregg and Boneham in November's general election.

Gov. Mitch Daniels is term-limited against running for re-election in November.