INDIANAPOLIS (WOWO): Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann's potential departure to become president of Ivy Tech wouldn’t be completely unprecedented. 

No governor has ever switched running mates in running for reelection. But legislators have often resigned in midterm for private sector jobs, and Attorney General Jeff Modisett resigned 10 months before the 2000 election to take a C-E-O position. 

Ellspermann released a statement saying she's been “from time to time…approached about opportunities” as lieutenant governor, and is “extremely honored to be considered” by Ivy Tech. A statement from Pence's office says Ellspermann is “ideal” for the job and that the governor “strongly encouraged her to seek the position.” Ellspermann headed the University of Southern Indiana's Center for Applied Research for four years. 

If Ellspermann leaves, Pence would have to choose between shoring up his conservative base or reaching out to centrists angry over the religious-freedom debate. There's also a question of gender balance. The last three lieutenant governors have been women, and neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have nominated an all-male ticket since 2000. 

UIndy political scientist Laura Albright says she doesn't believe Pence would necessarily have to choose a woman. She notes neither Ellspermann nor her predecessors emphasized gender in their campaigns.