Pres. Trump returns to South Carolina

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a Charlotte, N.C. suburb Thursday. The goal is to encourage voters to vote for Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) as she faces Democrat Annie Andrews.

The latest stop on Trump’s “midterm blitz,” will be at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center. Doors open at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, and remarks are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Tim Phillips, a VIP attending the rally, said he is happy the president is coming. He also said the visit signals something he doesn’t like.

“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 said, meaning the polls showing the Republican candidate with a solid lead.

South Carolina has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.

Trump visited Greenville, N.C. on October 20, and Clemson, S.C. October 21 as he tries to rally his base across the country. The Republican National Committee said the party is banking on voter turnout to hold Congress.

Phillips, a South Carolina native, has campaigned for Republicans across the country. He said the rallies create a sense of community in the party.

“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.

Most polls indicate Republicans only have a small chance of saving the Senate. Many of the president’s visits have focused heavily on putting his name behind Senate candidates.