"Hello, Nevada! Wow...."
So began Donald Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, appearing at a rally of about 300 people at the Grand Sierra Resort on Monday night.
It was the first visit through Northern Nevada for the Republican vice presidential nominee, who also addressed supporters in Carson City earlier in the day.
Pence stuck mostly to the campaign's theme of law and order. But he also spent a fair amount of time addressing the controversy over recent remarks by Donald Trump disparaging the Muslim-American family of a U.S. soldier, Capt. Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq.
Capt. Khan's father endorsed Clinton at the Democratic National Convention last week in a searing speech against Trump, sparking a war of words.
Pence blamed the media for the fallout.
"I understand and appreciate the attention being paid to Capt. Khan's family," said Pence. "What I don't understand is why the media maligned and continues to ignore the grieving mother of fallen Air Force veteran and diplomat Sean Smith, who fell in Benghazi."
Pence was referring to Pat Smith, who criticized Clinton and endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
"Let's demand that the national media listen to and honor all of the families of the fallen in this country, and hear their voice in the debate over America's future," said Pence.
Pence was questioned about Trump's remarks at his earlier stop in Carson City by a military mom, who received boos from the crowd.
The trip highlights Northern Nevada's importance this election cycle as the two campaigns battle over the Silver State's six electoral votes.
