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Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 28, 2023. (KUTV)

Former Vice President Mike Pence speaks in downtown Salt Lake today, a day after testifying for hours before a grand jury in Washington investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Pences speech to an invitation-only lunch crowd is happening at Zions Bank headquarters, and almost certainly was scheduled before his grand jury appearance.

I will always believe by Gods grace, with my wife by my side all day and nightthat we did our duty under the Constitution of the United States of America, Pence said to a standing ovation.

The Gary R Herbert Institute for Public Policy at UVU said it invited Pence to speak on local and national public policy issues, and said he will share his insights from his time serving as vice president, congressman and governor.

Pence had the latter two roles in Indiana, but the news getting the most attention now surrounds defying former President Trumps call for him to block certification of the 2020 election resultsand Pences own likely run for the White House.

The former vice president reportedly resisted the grand jury testimony, but a federal judge ruled he had to comply with a subpoena from special counsel Jack Smith, who is focused on Trumps actions related to the 2020 election.

Politico earlier reported Pence is building out his political team to get ready for a presidential run, and that his nonprofit called Advancing American Freedom has already held a retreat in Utah attended by major donors.

Polls published by realclearpolitics.com show Pence in third place for the Republican nomination, well behind Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

On a visit to Utah while vice president, Pence promoted the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, which was stalled in Congress at the time, but eventually became law.

After his speech at a medical equipment manufacturer, he took questions from local reporters, and he may do the same today.

Pence presided as Congress certified the election results against the wishes of Trump, and after demonstrators breached the Capitol.

The former vice president spoke of his Christian faith, immigration, national debt, and a rising threat from Chinaand it was not lost on anyone in the room that hes eyeing his own run for the White House.

I think the American people want to see us restore a threshold of civility and respect in public life once again, said Pence to applause. I believe it with all my heart.

People who watched and listened Friday described Pence as a person of strong conviction with power and experience and kindness.

RELATED: Former Vice President Mike Pence hosting roundtable discussion in Utah

But Kevin Johnson added another impression.

Hes not overly exciting, Johnson said. Hes not going to bring down the house.

Pence is running third in polls for the GOP presidential nomination, in single digits, and well behind Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Asked if he would vote for Pence for president, Curtis Blair said with a smile, You know, thats a really good question. I dont know.

Carson Jorgensen, former Utah Republican Party chair, cast Pence as a long shot.

I think its an uphill battle for him, said Jorgensen, and everybody knows it.

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Mike Pence speaking in Utah day after grand jury testimony - KUTV 2News