President Trump will appear in Pennsylvania for a campaign rally this month after previously postponing a trip following the Florida high school shooting, the president’s political action committee announced Friday.
Trump will appear for a rally outside Pittsburgh, near the high school where he was originally slated to speak.
The campaign initially postponed the rally at the high school “out of respect and sympathy for the victims and survivors” of the Parkland, Fla., shooting on Feb. 14 that left 17 people dead.
The new date follows Trump’s official announcement this week that he will seek reelection in 2020, and the appointment of former digital adviser Brad Parscale as his campaign manager, signaling his intention to resume his signature rowdy campaign rallies.
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“The president is really looking forward to visiting the Pittsburgh area to highlight the benefits that his historic tax cuts are providing hard-working families across Pennsylvania and to celebrate our booming economy now that America is once again open for business,” said Michael Glassner, chief operations officer for the Trump campaign.
Trump’s visit to Moon Township is a strategic one, as the GOP is currently pouring funds into the special congressional election for Pennsylvania’s 18th District.
Vice President Pence appeared at a fundraising event for state legislator Rick Saccone (R) last month in an effort to bolster his campaign in its close race for the seat against Democratic prosecutor Conor Lamb. Pence also touted the GOP tax-reform package, which strategists hope will keep the suburban district red before the next round of midterm elections this year.
The rally will mark Trump’s fifth in the Pittsburgh area since the start of his campaign in 2015, the release noted. Trump narrowly defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the battleground state in 2016, an unexpected victory that helped propel him to the White House.