INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ A shake-up in the leadership of the Indiana Republican Party will likely lead to a top adviser to Governor Mike Pence taking over as state GOP chairman.

Pence on Thursday nominated Jeff Cardwell to head the state party as he nears a decision on whether to enter the presidential race or concentrate on a 2016 re-election campaign.

Cardwell will replace Tim Berry, who Pence picked as the GOP chairman in July 2013. Berry left in the middle of his second term as state auditor to take the party post.

Cardwell is a former Indianapolis City-County Council member who has been a senior adviser to Pence and director of the state's Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives.

Cardwell's appointment still needs confirmation by the state GOP committee.