SALT LAKE CITY — Around 60 students and local leaders were among the lucky few who attended Wednesday night’s vice-presidential debate at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus.
It was a stark contrast from the first presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden. This one was much more civil, but direct.
Vice President Mike Pence and California Senator Kamala Harris vigorously debated the federal government’s handling of the coronavirus, their records, the economy, climate change, and foreign policy.
Students from many of Utah's universities were inside Kingsbury Hall. They were socially distant and each wore a mask.
Also in the audience, some of Utah's leaders who were guests of the campaigns. Among them were Governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. They weighed in on how they thought the debate went.
Even in red state Utah, this election is shaping up to be one like no other.
A recent poll shows Trump ahead of Biden by ten points. Even though that seems like a large lead, it’s much closer than expected.
The Biden campaign suggests Utahns have reservations, but the Trump campaign is confident he will be re-elected.