Hoosier lawmaker Mike Pence (R) officially kicks off his gubernatorial campaign Saturday.

Pence visited with Columbus residents at a local ice cream parlor Friday afternoon.

The Republican representative said he will be traveling the state to learn what Hoosiers want in their next governor.

“Really over the next year I want to be listening to Hoosiers and I want to be continuing to listen to policy experts around the state of Indiana as we identify what the opportunities are going to be to really keep Indiana growing,” Pence said.

Pence also said he wants to continue building on the successes of Governor Mitch Daniels.      

His first official campaign stop will be in Columbus Saturday morning.

Pence is one of two Republicans seeking the GOP nomination to succeed Governor Daniels. The other is Hamilton County businessman Jim Wallace.