Osceola County

VP Mike Pence previews reelection campaign at ‘Latinos for Trump’ event in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Vice President Mike Pence returned to Central Florida on Thursday, a few months after President Trump launched his re-election bid, for the first campaign event of the year.

Pence was joined by second lady Karen Pence at a “Latinos for Trump” event at at Nación de Fe on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee.

During his visit, Pence gave a preview of the campaign Trump plans to run in 2020, which will focus on the economy and employment, especially in the Latino community.

Pence made the case that a strong economy is the reason to give Trump four more years.

"Under the president’s leadership, Hispanic unemployment is at the lowest level in ever recorded in American history,” Pence told the crowd.

Read: Pence says Trump to ask European allies to scrap Iran deal

Statistically, the Latino vote in Florida is unaffiliated with either party, but leans Democratic. However, Republicans have made inroads in recent years.

“Our job is to get all the votes we can here, and make the Democrats fight us in Central Florida,” said Charles Hart, Orange County GOP chairman.

Pence’s message resonated with supporters.

“I got a lot of information, so it was great,” voter Jasmine Miranda said.

“(I) voted for him in ’16, will do it again in 2020, and if there was another (election) I’d do it again in 2024,” Carlos Cartaena said.

Pence did touch on the impeachment trial, calling it politically motivated but made no mention about recent accusations that he, too, was involved in the withholding of military aid to Ukraine in order to extract political favors.

Read: Impeachment of Donald Trump: Pelosi names Val Demings as impeachment manager

WATCH LIVE: VP Mike Pence is arriving in Tampa ahead of Kissimmee rally

WATCH LIVE: Vice President Mike Pence is arriving in Tampa ahead of two rallies in Florida, including one tonight in Kissimmee. READ MORE: https://at.wftv.com/381YzIS

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Thursday, January 16, 2020


Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.