The Commander-in-Chief aims to excite voters in his home state.
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President Donald Trump is set to return to his home state to rally voters as the Midterm elections approach.
The Commander-in-Chief will hold an event in Fort Myers on Oct. 23. A venue will be announced later, and tickets will be available online through the Republican National Committee.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m., with programming beginning around 12:30 p.m. Trump is expected to address the crowd at 2 p.m. Attendees can RSVP for the event here.
Florida, now Trump’s official state of residence, is home to several closely watched federal races this year. The U.S. Senate contest pits incumbent Republican Sen. Ashley Moody against Democratic challenger Angie Nixon, a former state Rep. The Governor’s race, featuring Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Democratic former Congressman David Jolly, has also drawn national attention. The event is taking place in Donalds’ current congressional district.
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters, who hails from Florida, said the President’s visit will mobilize voters.
“Turnout is the key this cycle. The President is best to deliver our voters,” Gruters said. “He loves Byron Donalds and our other candidates and he is an absolute machine going from district to district.”
Recent polls show both statewide contests remain within the margin of error, even as Republicans maintain a significant voter registration advantage. In Southwest Florida, a reliably Republican region, boosting turnout could prove critical not only for the marquee races but also for GOP candidates in three other statewide contests.
Two open congressional seats are also in play near Fort Myers. In Florida’s 19th Congressional District, Republican Jim Schwartzel is considered the frontrunner against Democrat Victor Arias for the seat currently held by Byron Donalds. Meanwhile, the contest for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District has both parties investing heavily, with Republican Casey Askar and Democrat Pia Dandiya vying for the open seat.
Republicans, encouraged by a new congressional map, are also targeting three Democratic incumbents in the U.S. House. Party leaders hope Trump’s visit will energize support for GOP challengers: Mike Beltran against Rep. Kathy Castor, Dan Green against Rep. Darren Soto, and Scott Singer against Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
Republicans are also looking to shore up support for incumbents facing tough reelection fights, as House Democrats target Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, and María Elvira Salazar. The party is working to hold open seats in Florida’s 7th and 16th Congressional Districts as well.
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