NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Friday, the race to the White House will be in Hampton Roads.
Tuesday, President Donald Trump's campaign team said he'll be holding a rally in Newport News on September 25.
“When you hear it's just a mile away from your house, that's wonderful,” Newport News resident Robin Necker said.
Necker and her husband, Bill, said they plan on attending the president’s event at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport.
“I just want to see the man in person, and I want to hear what he says,” Bill Necker said. “He's good for our country, I believe, and I'm really looking forward to voting for him.”
The visit comes after the president visited the Jamestown settlement last year, and ahead of his expected announcement of his Supreme Court nominee this weekend.
“It's certainly going to energize our base and help us to continue to push the message that needs to be out there that we need four more years of Donald Trump,” Newport News Republican Party Local Chair Tom Amen told News 3.
“These rallies are the best place for Donald Trump has for getting his message out to the people,” Newport News Republican Party member Cliff Dunn added.
Hampton resident Nancy Hundstad, however, said she’s not looking forward to the visit.
“I think they're all just kind of a publicity stunt more than something for politics,” Hundstad said. “We won't be anywhere near it, I'm sure.”
Virginia Democratic Party Press Secretary Hannah Muldavin released the following statement following the announcement:
Today, the 200,000th American succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but instead of finally creating a plan to ensure the health and safety of Virginians, President Trump is announcing a superspreader rally where he will put Virginians in danger. Friday's rally won’t do anything to address the issues that matter most to Virginians, whether that’s failing to support the families of more than 3,000 people across the Commonwealth who have died from COVID, or trying to rip away protections for the 3.4 million [protectourcare.org] Virginians with a pre-existing condition by trying to dismantle the ACA. Those voters want a leader who will put their health and safety first -- not one who will put it in jeopardy with a political rally.
Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe also weighed in on Trump’s upcoming visit.
“Hampton Roads, as you know, was a hotspot over the summer,” McAuliffe told News 3. “It's going to be a superspreader event.”
“We're going to follow the CDC guidelines, and people are going to behave in a way that's appropriate,” Amen said.
All agree Virginia is key in the 2020 race.
“Hampton Roads is probably one of the most important areas, and I can see wanting to focus on here,” Hundstad said.
“It's very important for him to be here because of how important Virginia is,” Robin Necker said.
Newport News city officials told News 3 Newport News Police is preparing for the visit.
A Trump campaign official told News 3, "Every attendee will get a temperature check prior to admission, be provided a mask they’re encouraged to wear, and have access to plenty of hand sanitizer."
Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the event starts at 9 p.m.
Guests can only request two tickets per cellphone device.