In 1988, Pence ran for Congress against Democratic incumbent Phil Sharp, but lost.[21] He ran against Sharp again in 1990, quitting his job in order to work full-time in the campaign, but once again was unsuccessful.[21] During the race, Pence used "political donations to pay the mortgage on his house, his personal credit card bill, groceries, golf tournament fees and car payments for his wife."[22] While the spending was not illegal at the time, it reportedly undermined his campaign.[22]