The Donald J. Trump campaign announced Monday evening that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the vice presidential nominee, will visit Durango on Wednesday.
“We’ve known for several days he was coming, but it was just confirmed about 20 minutes ago,” La Plata County Republican Central Committee Chairman Travis Oliger said Monday afternoon. “When Ben Carson came, we only had three days notice, and one of them was a Sunday.”
The campaign has handled almost all of the details of the visit, Oliger said.
Some local Republican candidates will be on the stage.
“I’ve been asked to make some opening remarks,” said Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, who is in a tight race to retain his 59th District seat in a campaign against Democratic candidate Barbara McLachlan. “I was supposed to be in Denver for a Capital Development Committee, but this is a big deal, so I want to be here. It’s the first one I’ve missed, but there’s nothing too controversial on the agenda, so I think they can do it without me.”
He’ll be talking about why he thinks voters should elect the Republican presidential and vice presidential nominee, Brown said.
“I will be in attendance,” said Kayla Story Patterson, who is running for La Plata County commissioner in District 2. “I don’t know what role I’ll play other than setting up and decorating.”
Local Democrats will be taking a positive approach to making their presence known, La Plata County Democrats Chairwoman Jean Walter said.
“We intend to start lining the streets around the fairgrounds around 11:15 (a.m.),” she said. “People can pick up yard signs at our office or make their own. I’ve been seeing some good ones, ‘Make America Think Again,’ ‘Love Trumps Hate’ and one I’ve seen although I don’t know if anyone will carry it, ‘Don’t boo, vote.’”
Walter hopes her fellow Dems will avoid negativity, she said.
Pence’s visit to Durango comes on the heels of two stops in the state Tuesday by Trump, who will visit Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.
abutler@durangoherald.com
