Vice President Pence Arrives In SLC Ahead Of Debate

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Salt Lake City Monday night, two days ahead of the debate scheduled to play out at the University of Utah with Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris.

“When the president told me he was headed back to the White House, he told me to head to Utah,” Pence told reporters just before his trip to the Beehive State.

“Stakes in this election have never been higher,” he said. “The choice has never been clearer.”

The choice was clear for several supporters of the president who lined up along the motorcade route outside of the Salt Lake City International Airport to welcome the vice president.

DPS chopper flying overhead as Vice President Pence prepares to leave the airport. #ksltv pic.twitter.com/nNWcLt21M2

— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) October 6, 2020

“We’re in support of him and we’re so thrilled he’s coming to Utah. We want him to know he’s got friends here,” Suzanne Ferre said. “I am pro-police and against abortion and he takes a strong stance on both of those.”

Gov. Gary Herbert was the first to welcome Pence to the state on the tarmac. Many argue Pence’s visit has gained significance over the last week, as President Donald Trump deals with COVID-19 at the White House and after last week’s presidential debate.

“First of all, we want to see civility because that really should be a big part of what politics is and it hasn’t been,” Ferre said. “I think it’s going to be a more civil discussion.”

Harris arrived over the weekend, giving her a little time to get to know the state and a lot of time to prepare for Wednesday’s showdown at the University of Utah.

In an opinion piece in the Deseret News, Harris told Utahns faith values bind us and as president, she argued Joe Biden will restore those values in public.

With the recent positive cases in the President’s circle, the debate stage will look different Wednesday. Pence and Harris will stand 12 feet apart with a plexiglass barrier between them. The vice president’s office said he and his wife have been tested multiple times for coronavirus and remain negative.

“I look forward to the opportunity to take our case to the American people for four more years of President Donald Trump in the white house,” Pence said.