Governor to speak: Ducey will provide “brief remarks.”

Gov. Doug Ducey will attend President Donald Trump’s political rally in Mesa tonight and provide “brief remarks,” according to the governor’s reelection campaign.

It was not immediately clear whether Ducey would greet the president on the tarmac before the gathering. As of Thursday morning, a Ducey spokesman said the “arrival plan” was still being finalized.

Trump’s evening event aims to galvanize Republican support for Rep. Martha McSally — the two-term congresswoman involved in a cutthroat battle for outgoing U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake’s seat — and other Republicans on the Arizona ballot.

Last month,after preliminary plans for a late-September rally circulated, Ducey told reporters he looked forward to welcoming the president and making it “a productive trip.”

At that point, the governor was engaged in a tighter race with Democratic challenger David Garcia and declined to detail his potential involvement in the president’s visit.

The president put his tentative Arizona plans on hold until last week, when his team announced tonight’s rally.

Tonight’s event, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. near Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, will mark Trump’s 10th trip to Arizona since launching his presidential bid in 2015.

During previous visits, Ducey has been polite but largely kept the president at arm’s length.

In 2015, when Trump visited Phoenix as a candidate during primary season, Ducey did not personally welcome or meet with him.

In 2016, after Trump won the Republican nomination, the governor spoke at his Phoenix campaign rally.

In 2017, Ducey greeted the president when he arrived but did not attend his campaign-style event.

The governor has forged a closer relationship with the president this year. appearing at at least two White House functions.