Trump to rally in Rock Hill to boost Graham

President Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Thursday. The event is scheduled at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. Doors open at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, and remarks begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

The stop is part of the president's midterm tour. He aims to encourage voters to support Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.), who faces Democrat Annie Andrews. Rock Hill is a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Tim Phillips, a VIP attendee and South Carolina native, said the visit signals a concern. He noted that this is the second trip Trump will make to the state for this specific race. Phillips said, “Candidly, it’s also sobering. This is the second trip the president will make to South Carolina for this Senate race, the Graham Senate race here. You would like to see South Carolina kind of put to bed.”

Phillips explained that he meant the polls showing a solid lead for the Republican candidate. He added that the rallies create a sense of community. “The energy, it’s electric. Candidly, you never know what the president is going to say, you just don’t. That is part of the fun of it. It is a show. It’s like seeing old friends,” Phillips said.

Trump visited Greenville, North Carolina, on October 20, and Clemson, South Carolina, on October 21. The Republican National Committee stated that the party is banking on voter turnout to hold Congress. Most polls indicate Republicans have only a small chance of saving the Senate. South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.

The president's recent visits have focused on putting his name behind Senate candidates. The Rock Hill rally is the latest stop in this strategy.