POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Vice President Mike Pence Visits Utah

Aug 22, 2019, 12:04 AM | Updated: 12:09 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – It was a day of firsts at the Salt Lake International Airport, where there was tightened security and a crowd of supporters gathered on the tarmac to welcome Vice President Mike Pence to Utah.

“Great to be back. It really is,” the Vice President said after shaking hands, signing autographs and taking pictures with dozens of supporters Wednesday.

The last time he was in the Beehive State was during the 2016 election, building support for then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. This time, he’s talking trade and urging the state to get on board with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

LIVE: Vice President Mike Pence lands in Salt Lake City

LIVE: Air Force Two and Vice President Mike Pence have landed in Salt Lake City.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Wednesday, August 21, 2019

For one family, his most important message came right after Air Force Two landed and Vice President Pence exited the plane.

“It was really cool and a really good experience,” said Alex Taylor.

He’s the son of Jennie Taylor – the widow of the late North Ogden Mayor Major Brent Taylor.

“He had some very kind things to say about my husband and his service and our family,” Jennie said.

She said she got a call from Governor Gary Herbert’s office Tuesday, inviting her to welcome the vice president to Utah.

Little did she know, she and her 5th grade son Taylor would walk alongside Governor Herbert and be the first to greet Pence as soon as he stepped onto the tarmac.

“It’s just such a touching experience to hear one of the leaders of the free world telling us, thank you,” Taylor said. “It’s very humbling.”

Taylor presented Pence with a pin, which he put on his suit.

“Then he surprised both of us, and he said, ‘Alex, would you like to come on my airplane?’” she said.

The Taylors toured the plane, and even walked away with an Air Force Two medal from the pilots.

“It’s really cool. There’s a lot of seats,” Alex said, adding that there was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich sitting on one of the plane’s counters.

The vice president will need the fuel as he prepares to speak about the global economy, trade and the significance of Utah during a Thursday visit to Merit Medical.

LIVE: Vice President Mike Pence lands in Salt Lake City

LIVE: Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Salt Lake City.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Wednesday, August 21, 2019

“This is a state that knows how to create jobs,” Pence said to the media before taking off in his motorcade. “I wanted to be here to make sure the people of Utah and their elected representatives knew just how important the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is for Utah and is for America.”

The agreement is meant to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The document was drafted in September 2018 and signed two months later in November. It still needs approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Pence will give his address at Merit Medical, a medical device company in South Jordan that does business in both Mexico and Canada.

“We’ve been preparing and we’re very, very excited about it,” said Fred Lampropoulos, CEO of Merit Medical. “We have to move products to and fro – and I think free trade and fair trade are critical for our business.”

The vice president’s visit is highly anticipated for many in Utah. For the Taylor family, the initial greeting was what made all the difference.

“To have him be so personal…At the end we embraced,” Jennie said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Politics & Elections

small housing units...

Debbie Worthen

Utah’s micro-shelter pilot program gets extension to help homeless

A micro-shelter pilot program will stay in place for at least six more months.

11 hours ago

The Cache County Council took up the e-mail controversy...

Mike Anderson

A single text stirs political fallout in Cache County election

A text message is blowing up into a whole lot of political fallout in Cache County.

12 hours ago

A new law is changing the amount of hunter orange that an individual is required to wear during spe...

Mark Jones

Several wildlife-related bills passed into law during 2024 legislative session

A number of wildlife management-related bills have been signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox, following the completion of the 2024 Utah Legislature.

19 hours ago

FILE _ "I Voted" stickers are ready to be distributed to each person who filled out a ballot, Tuesd...

Kim Chandler, Associated Press

Democrat who ran on reproductive rights, flips seat in Alabama House

A Democrat who made reproductive rights a centerpiece of her campaign in deeply conservative Alabama has won a special election to the Alabama Legislature.

21 hours ago

FILE - Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, walks from Marine One upon arrival at Fort McN...

Stefanie Dazio and Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

Hunter Biden’s lawyers push California judge to toss out tax charges

Attorneys for Hunter Biden have asked a judge to toss out the tax case accusing him of a four-year scheme to avoid paying $1.4 million in taxes while living an extravagant lifestyle.

21 hours ago

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at 40 Wall Street after a pre-trial ...

Michael R. Sisak

Judge issues gag order barring Donald Trump from commenting on witnesses, others in hush money case

A New York judge Tuesday issued a gag order barring Donald Trump from making public statements about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Vice President Mike Pence Visits Utah