FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — In his first campaign rally in almost a month, President Donald Trump on Monday night urged supporters in Fayetteville to vote for the Republican candidate in a special election for the District 9 race.
- President Donald Trump spoke in Fayetteville on Monday night
- Voters go to polls Tuesday to choose 9th District representative
- JUMP TO: ▼ Live updates from our crews in Fayetteville ▼
- RELATED:
- Sign up to receive breaking news text alerts from Spectrum News
- LISTEN TO OUR NEW PODCAST: Is N.C. Ready for Another Hurricane? Lessons Learned from Florence.
Trump took the stage just after 7 p.m. after an introduction by Vice President Mike Pence.
He used the almost 90-minute campaign rally to go on the offensive against Democrats, tout his own 2020 reelection bid, and urge his supports to head to the polls Tuesday and vote for Dan Bishop, who's in a special election with Democrat Dan McCready for the 9th Congressional District seat.
"Tomorrow is a chance to send a clear message to the America-hating left," Trump told the crowd.
He repeatedly attacking the Democrats' record on health care and immigration.
"You don't have any choice. You have to vote for me," Trump told the crowd. "What are you going to do: Put one of these crazy people running? They are so far left."
"Your way of life is under assault by these people," he claimed.
Earlier, Air Force One landed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Trump had planned to tour Hurricane Dorian-damaged Coastal areas with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper before heading to Fayetteville. But the tour was canceled because of severe weather. Cooper met with Trump and other officials for a briefing aboard Air Force One, which then departed for the rally.
The rally was held at the Crown Expo Center.
Cynthia Brown, of Fayetteville, attending the rally. Brown, who is black, said supporting Trump has been "a pretty lonely experience" for her. She added, "But that's OK. I'm not a follower."
Bishop is facing off against McCready in a special election Tuesday, which was called after an absentee ballot fraud investigation in the 9th District.
The 9th District stretches from Charlotte in the west to Bladen County and Fayetteville in the east, running along the border with South Carolina. It leans Republican.
The race is one of two special congressional elections in North Carolina. Voters in the 3rd District will also head to the polls Tuesday to choose a replacement for the late Rep. Walter Jones.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Live updates
Get instant severe weather alerts to your phone and email. Click here to sign up!