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Former President Donald Trump is set to return to the critical swing state of Pennsylvania for a campaign rally on Saturday, just days before his hush money trial kicks off in New York. Notably absent from the event will be Dave McCormick, the expected Republican nominee for Senate, highlighting Trump’s reluctance to endorse him.
McCormick’s absence from the rally is due to a previously scheduled family event, underscoring the strained relationship between him and Trump. Despite running unopposed in the GOP primary to challenge Democratic incumbent Bob Casey, McCormick has yet to receive Trump’s endorsement.
Trump has endorsed candidates backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in other key swing states, but has refrained from doing so in Pennsylvania and Nevada. His decision has puzzled some Trump allies, given McCormick’s lack of primary opponents.
While Trump and McCormick have a contentious history dating back to McCormick’s failed Senate bid in 2022, there are indications that they will eventually work together. McCormick, who met privately with Trump during his 2022 campaign, has not actively sought Trump’s endorsement this time around.
However, Trump’s remarks about McCormick not being “pro-Trump” suggest lingering tensions between them. Despite this, McCormick believes that any successful GOP candidate in Pennsylvania must appeal to both Trump loyalists and moderate Republicans.
The rally comes at a crucial time for Trump’s campaign, as he seeks to recreate his 2016 victory in Pennsylvania. With recent polls showing a tight race between Trump and Biden in the state, both candidates are intensifying their efforts to win over voters, particularly on economic issues.
Trump’s rally is expected to focus on themes such as the economy, inflation, and immigration, as well as his baseless claims of election fraud. These issues have been central to his campaign’s messaging and are likely to feature prominently in his speech.
