BIRMINGHAM — Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Birmingham on Tuesday afternoon to meet with Governor Kay Ivey to talk about the state of Alabama in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, as well as trade issues.
Governor Kay Ivey met the Vice President’s plane on its arrival, upon which she was escorted on board to meet privately with Pence.
— Sean Ross (@sean_yhn) October 30, 2018
After the two leaders met for almost ten minutes, Pence and Ivey emerged side-by-side at the top of the plane’s steps, waving cheerfully to the crowd of approximately 150 cheering onlookers.
It was such an honor to welcome @VP Pence to Alabama today! I appreciate his willingness to allow me to step on board Air Force Two to discuss some Alabama business. He was very receptive and expressed his support of our great state. pic.twitter.com/dOZIcXeLgP
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 30, 2018
The duo then walked down together to shake hands and take pictures with the crowd, spending approximately ten minutes doing so before Pence made a few off-the-cuff remarks to the media.
“Great to be here, great to be here with Governor Ivey. She’s been a great partner,” Pence said.
The vice president then gave his strong support for Ivey’s reelection, expressing that she was leading the state forward and representing its people well. Then, he made clear his love for the Yellowhammer State.
“It’s always great to be in Alabama,” Pence emphasized, before adding a “Roll Tide” to the appreciation of University of Alabama student body president Price McGiffert, who was at the front of the crowd.
Pence’s motorcade soon left, and Ivey came up to the members of the media present to answer questions.
The governor said she has known Pence for years, adding, “I like him a lot, he’s very easy to deal with, very personable. ”
Ivey then explained that during their private meeting on Air Force Two, she mainly was reinforcing the state’s need for federal emergency resources in the wake of Hurricane Michael.
“[The vice president] said that they were making progress in that regard, and he heard me loud and clear,” Ivey said.
She added, “He’s very receptive to Alabama and he values Alabamians a lot.”
Ivey advised that Pence also promised the administration was making progress on trade issues vital to Alabama, too. The governor emphasized the state’s manufacturing sectors, especially automotive manufacturing, in the meeting, with Pence acknowledging trade negotiations were “a work in progress.”
Welcome to our sweet home Alabama, @mike_pence! pic.twitter.com/eNl2s0f5Au
— Kay Ivey (@kayiveyforgov) October 30, 2018
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
