President Donald Trump visits Rock Hill on Thursday to campaign for Republican Sen. Darline Graham and other GOP candidates, with South Carolina’s Senate race drawing increased attention ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
ROCK HILL, S.C. — President Donald Trump returned to South Carolina on Thursday, October 29, for a midterm election rally in Rock Hill, continuing a series of campaign appearances intended to bolster Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 elections.
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The event was scheduled at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, located at 326 Technology Center Way, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and Trump’s remarks set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.
According to the Republican National Committee’s official event announcement, attendees were required to register in advance, with a maximum of four tickets available per registration.
The president’s appearance comes as Republican Sen. Darline Graham faces Democratic challenger Dr. Annie Andrews in a closely watched contest for the U.S. Senate.
Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, was appointed to the seat by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster following her brother’s death earlier this year. She is now seeking a full six-year term.
The race also includes Libertarian candidate Kasie Whitener and Constitution Party candidate Mark Hackett.
Trump previously traveled to Pendleton, South Carolina, on October 21 to campaign for Graham, making Thursday’s Rock Hill event his second campaign appearance in the state in eight days.
The president has also made recent campaign stops in North Carolina, Ohio and other states as Republicans seek to retain control of Congress.
According to South Carolina Public Radio, the Rock Hill appearance follows political disagreements within the state’s Republican electorate after Graham defeated Rep. Ralph Norman in the August 25 Republican primary runoff.
Norman, whose congressional district includes Rock Hill and York County, received substantial support in the area during the primary contest.
Although Norman has maintained his support for the Republican nominee, some of his supporters have questioned whether they will vote for Graham in November.
The campaign has also attracted attention because of recent polling indicating a competitive race.
A New York Times/Siena College survey of 707 South Carolina voters found Graham and Andrews tied at 48% among likely voters, according to the Greenville News.
The Cook Political Report also changed its assessment of the contest from Likely Republican to Lean Republican on October 20.
The polling represents a notable development in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1998.
Andrews, a physician from Charleston, has campaigned on healthcare affordability and other issues affecting South Carolina residents.
Her candidacy has received support from former Republican Gov. David Beasley and former Democratic Gov. Jim Hodges, who announced their endorsements earlier this week.
Trump’s return to the state follows increased attention to the race as both parties work to mobilize voters during the final days of the campaign.
According to Queen City News, supporters began lining up outside the Rock Hill venue before 3 a.m. Thursday, with more than 200 people waiting before the doors opened.
Local law enforcement coordinated security arrangements with federal authorities, including the U.S. Secret Service.
The president’s campaign appearance also prompted temporary road restrictions around the venue as officials prepared for increased traffic and the arrival of the presidential motorcade.
According to FOX Carolina, Thursday’s rally is part of Trump’s wider campaign schedule targeting congressional races during the final week before Election Day.
Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, and the November elections will determine which party holds the House and Senate during the final two years of Trump’s second presidential term.
The Rock Hill event takes place as early voting continues across South Carolina, with the state’s early voting period scheduled to conclude October 31.
The president is also expected to return to Washington for the White House’s annual Halloween celebration Thursday evening.
Trump’s appearance in Rock Hill underscores the attention both parties are giving South Carolina’s Senate contest, with the election now less than a week away.
The rally’s scheduled remarks, political endorsements and turnout efforts come as voters prepare to decide the Senate race and other congressional and statewide contests on November 3.
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