President Trump to hold campaign rally in New Mexico later this month
President Donald Trump will be holding a rally in the Land of Enchantment later this month as his re-election campaign hopes to flip the traditionally Democratic state.
The President’s rally will be on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque. Trump is likely to tout economic gains in New Mexico, namely record revenues that have resulted from an oil and gas boom.
Trump’s visits to Albuquerque during his first campaign drew large crowds and protests that devolved into violence, prompting police to turn out in riot gear.
New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce tells KOAT that Donald Trump Jr. will also be making a fundraising trip to the state this month.
Trump campaign leaders say New Mexico has been identified as a target state this election cycle, which means his campaign believes Trump could turn the state red come 2020.
In 2016 Hilary Clinton took New Mexico. The Trump campaign thinks that was because former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson was also running for president, taking votes away from Trump.
But while Trump campaign officials may think New Mexico could be in play in 2020, Democrats have long outnumbered Republicans when it comes to voter registration. Democrats also enjoyed a sweep during the last election cycle, solidifying their hold over the state Legislature and other top state offices.
Associated Press
