In just a week voters will decide who will become the leaders of tomorrow. Between political ads, debates and constant news coverage, it can be hard to ignore the hype of campaign season. It was even harder to ignore the hype when Mike Pence held a rally in Upper Convo for AU Students, Faculty and Staff, and Ashland locals.

According to Ben Kunkel, the student programs manager of the Ashbrook Center, rumors of Pence’s appearance happened just one week before the event.

The campaign was looking for places to come in Ohio and Ashland was on the list of possibilities. Kunkel speculated that the university was a good place for the campaign to visit because “Ashland is a politically conservative area and the university is a good location in the community to hold the event.” 

He also guessed that the campaign knew that in a conservative area like Ashland, the rally would have a “fairly friendly crowd.”

In an email to the students involved in Ashbrook, Kunkel urged students to attend the Pence rally, regardless of their political leanings, because of the experience the event presented.

“Anytime you’re at a school like this, where we’re obviously not in a large metropolitan area, the opportunities to see big name speakers aren’t as common,” Kunkle said. “I think it’s exciting for students to get a chance to be close to something that is so important nationally and to get a chance to see a guy like Mike Pence who may have a deep impact on our nation for the next four years.”

Freshman Charlie Sutton explained that though he isn’t very involved in politics he chose to go to the rally purely for the experience.

“Hearing Pence speak will probably help a lot [with my decision], Sutton said. “I’m still undecided.”

Indiana local and AU student, Nathan Nunemaker, expressed his excitement to see his home state’s governor while in Ohio.

“I’ve been to two different Trump rallies in Indiana,” he explained. “I also think it is really good publicity for the university; to get [AU’s] name out there.”

For some students, hearing Pence speak was a way of double-checking their opinions about the Trump Pence campaign.

“I’m excited to hear firsthand what Pence has to say,” senior Karissa Magnacca explained. “There has been a lot of media influence and I want to know firsthand what’s been edited and what hasn’t and I want to know genuinely if his standpoint has changed overtime. It will give me a more open mind when it comes time to vote.”

Senior Nuri Lee was unable to attend the Pence rally but would have liked to go for the experience.

“I would get excited about any candidate coming to visit,” Lee said. “I know it is obviously a campaign strategy, but I didn’t think anyone would come to Ashland.”

Kunkel was excited for students to have the opportunity to attend the Pence rally so close to the election.

“Even just the spectacle of seeing a political campaign is great for students,” Kunkel said. “You get to see it on the news all the time, but to get to see it up close and personal is an opportunity everyone should have at some point.”

Early last week, Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. also made a visit in Ashland at Fin Feather Fur Outfitters in Ashland County. Although his visit was not associated with the university, having both Pence and Trump Jr. visit the Ashland area throughout their campaign trail is extremely beneficial in promoting the Ashland name.