The source did not provide CNN with further details about the relationship or describe the content of the calls. Each initiated a call.
The source also noted that the former vice president is close to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, now a director of the Republican Governors Association. By the summer, the source said, Pence will be more active in politics, likely in the gubernatorial cycle, and he has told House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy that he, too, will be active.
Regarding the CPAC appearance of the former president and beyond, the source said: “People don’t want to risk (Trump’s) ire, but no one really knows how it will unfold.”
The problem, the source said, is that the former president is not going to have a strong political team around him. “A lot of people are in and out,” including those who will meet him in Florida before the conference, such as Jason Miller, Bill Stepien, Justin Clark and Brad Parscale.
“They are going to want to continue pushing the narrative that he is the kingmaker,” the source added.