Editors Note: Vindicator politics writer David Skolnick is traveling with the motorcade of Vice President Mike Pence throughout the day today in the Mahoning Valley. Check back here for frequent updates and read Friday’s print edition for complete coverage and photos.

LORDSTOWN – After a 30-minute motorcade ride, Vice President Mike Pence entered the Lordstown Motors facility for a brief tour a short time ago.

He was met by Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill, Lordstown Motors Corp. CEO Steve Burns and Rich Schmidt, the company’s chief production officer.

Pence had a brief conversation with Ron Trautzsch, the company’s director of body assembly, and David Bradford, its control engineer.

Trautzsch told the vice president to push a button, which Pence did, to start automated production robots that moved around. Pence, wearing goggles but no facial mask, gave a thumbs up and said, “Good job.”

Also inside the facility in advance of the upcoming unveiling of the new all-electric pickup truck, the Endurance, Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel has taken the stage.

Burns said despite today being the official launch of sales of the truck, LMC had to start early so it didn’t get too deep with costs. Pre-sales, so far, he said, have paid for the first year of production.