Pence holds 1st rally of day, doesn't mention surging COVID cases
Vice President Mike Pence held his first rally of the day in Lakeland, Florida, running well over an hour late, and started his remarks by telling voters that the state will support "Florida resident" President Donald Trump this year.
"You said yes to President Donald Trump in 2016," he said, making his case in one of the most critical states of the election. "And I know that Florida is going to say yes to Florida resident President Donald Trump in 2020."
Pence told voters, "We’re gonna give the American people the kind of health care reform that's built on freedom and free markets," despite the fact the Trump administration has offered no comprehensive health care plan of its own to replace the Affordable Care Act.
This rally was held outdoors and hundreds of people were in attendance though a majority were not wearing masks and there was no social distancing. Pence, head of the White House coronavirus task force, did not talk about any of the coronavirus surges happening right now across the country, only touting Trump’s response and past outbreaks.
"We dealt with the outbreak in the Northeast and out in the Pacific Northwest," Pence said. "We dealt with it across the Sunbelt, because of the compassionate care of the people of this state and all across this region. Because of our incredible doctors and nurses and first responders."
Florida recorded 5,557 cases on Wednesday, its most cases in a single day since Aug. 15.
-ABC News' Justin Gomez