Much of what is going on here in Indiana is because of Mitch Daniels, Pence is doing a great job following his lead. He had a state served up on a silver platter when he took the reins here.
He still has some herd mentality from Washington to get out of his system imho before he shoots for the oval office, which I know he wants.
2020 would be a better window for him, let him get some more experience at the executive and state level first.