“It’s going to take all of us working together,” Mike Pence said. | Getty Pence vows to 'make Pennsylvania red again'

WESTLAKE, Ohio — Mike Pence addressed the Pennsylvania delegation Thursday morning, calling on delegates to “make Pennsylvania red again.”

The new Republican vice presidential nominee promised that he and Donald Trump will fight hard for Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes.


“It’s going to take all of us working together,” Pence said. “But I know I speak on behalf of his family and mine when I say this is more in your hands than it will ever be in our little families’.”

Pennsylvania is crucial for Trump’s election prospects and is a main proving ground for whether he can win over Rust Belt voters and so-called Reagan Democrats. Pennsylvania has not voted Republican in a presidential election since 1988, but could be fertile ground this year as presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has struggled with the working class whites who make up much of the Pennsylvania electorate. Pence could play a critical role in appealing to the state's vast swath of evangelical voters.

Pence, in clipped tones reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, payed homage to that president and connected him to Trump.

“I can tell you in the time that we’re together, for all the world, he reminds me of that president,” Pence said. “He truly does. He’s a builder. He’s a fighter. He’s a patriot. He hears the frustration of the American people and he became our nominee because he gave voice to that like no other among an extraordinarily talented field.”

Pence was joined on stage by his wife Karen and, after speaking for about six minutes, shook hands along the rope line and ducked out the door.

Pence addressed the Indiana delegation’s breakfast earlier in the morning.

He spoke there for about five minutes, according to one attendee, who said the address was more personal than political. He then walked through the crowd, hugging supporters and stopping for pictures, the attendee said.

Pence delivered a well-received convention speech Wednesday night, though it was largely overshadowed by Sen. Ted Cruz’s refusal to endorse Trump.