Trump to return to TN to campaign for Blackburn
JOHNSON CITY — President Donald Trump is set to return to Tennessee to hold a fundraiser and campaign-style rally in the eastern part of the state in support of Republican Marsha Blackburn’s bid for U.S. Senate.
An invitation says the fundraiser event will be next Monday in Johnson City, according to the Associated Press.
Tickets cost $10,000 per couple, including a photo with Trump; or $25,000 a couple, including the photo and a roundtable with Trump. Contributions will fuel Blackburn’s joint fundraising committee.
On Monday afternoon, Trump’s campaign confirmed that he will host a rally at Freedom Hall in Johnson City. At the rally, which will begin at 7 p.m. eastern, the president is expected to discuss the economy and the “importance of protecting and expanding” the GOP majority in the House and Senate.
“With just 44 days from today until the midterm elections, President Trump looks forward to sharing the great news about the booming economy that’s delivered new jobs and bigger paychecks to Tennessee families,” said Michael Glassner, chief operating officer of the president’s re-election committee. “The president will also remind Tennesseans of the critical importance to get out and vote for Marsha Blackburn for the U.S. Senate.”
The congressman’s contest against former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen is drawing national interest, including from the White House.
Vice President Mike Pence has attended two Tennessee fundraisers and two public events with Blackburn, including appearances last week in Knoxville.
Trump’s return to Tennessee will be his second in support of Blackburn’s campaign and his fourth overall since taking office in January 2017.
In May, Trump headlined a campaign-style rally in Nashville for Blackburn, where he called Bredesen a “total tool” for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Trump was also in Music City in January at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau.
In March 2017, the president held a campaign-style rally in Nashville.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.