Ashland University and the Ashbrook Center hosted Governor and Vice Presidential Republican candidate Mike Pence Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 2 p.m., Pence took the stage to speak with Ashland voters and fans in the John C. Myers Upper Convocation Center at AU.

With the election numbers tight in the state of Ohio, Pence’s visit to Ashland can potentially help gain the campaign more supporters or make up the minds for some undecided voters.

The last time a any presidential candidate or vice presidential candidate visited Ashland was 20 years ago in 1996 when Bob Dole, the Republican Vice Presidential candidate running against Bill Clinton, spoke at AU.

With 977 total attendance at the rally, Pence spoke on a number of election issues including security, foreign policy and boarder control, all of which Pence believes will be improved upon the potential election of Republican Candidate Donald Trump.

“Donald Trump’s mission to make America great again is going to take us all the way to the White House,” Pence said. “I believe Donald Trump embodies the spirit of America. Strong, freedom loving, independent, optimistic and willing to fight every single day for what he believes in and he is going to fight all the way to the White House.”

He closed his speech urging voters and fans to get to the polls and vote early before 2016 Election Day on Nov. 8.

Early in the day, Pence visited Swanton, Ohio and will head to Marietta to make an appearance later tonight.