Fort Wayne might have been the last stop on a statewide tour for Mike Pence and Sue Ellspermann, but it wasn’t without some fanfare. Here are a few of the highlights:

Numerous politicos showed up for the event, including Sheriff Ken Fries – along with his wife and mother – local GOP chairman Steve Shine, Rep. Phyllis Pond, Rep. Kathy Heuer, Allen County Councilman Darren Vogt, City Councilman Mitch Harper and Paula Hughes, the Republican mayoral candidate last year who got to introduce the party’s top ticket.

Ellspermann said the fact both Pence and Democrat John Gregg picked female running mates wasn’t about the need for men to balance the ticket. Instead, she said, “I think women have proven their worth,” and hoped some day that would lead to women running for even higher offices.

While the top two office seekers in both main partiers are from southern Indiana, Pence pointed out that he has represented several northern counties, including part of Allen, for years during his service in Congress. Of course, when asked if geography even matters in such things, he said, “That’s up to voters.”

Pence made no secret his feeling that Ellspermann was the top choice for his No. 2, but he did note the selection isn’t going to cause a landslide of support from her hometown. “I did choose Sue Ellspermann to lock up the vote in Ferdinand, Indiana,” he joked. The southern community has a population of 2,157.