CONROE, Texas — All eyes will be on Conroe this weekend as former President Donald Trump holds his Save America rally.
The town of nearly 90,000 people is in Montgomery County, the reddest county in the state. The event hopes to draw excitement for Republican candidates in the upcoming primary elections.
Die-hard fans were already camped out at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds Friday ahead of the “Save America Rally” Saturday. Trump’s team is not saying how many people are expected to attend. The City and County did not respond to Spectrum News’ requests for estimates.
Visit Conroe told us there are two other events taking place this weekend that are bringing in tourists. Business owners in downtown Conroe predict major crowds.
Leon Apostolo is the current owner of Shepard’s Barbershop, which has been around since 1912. He’s lived in Conroe his whole life and says the Trump Rally is the largest event to ever he’s ever seen.
“It’s gonna be monumental, the amount of people,” he said. “I expect it’s gonna be probably 50,000 people out there at the fairgrounds.”
As a business owner, he thinks the rally will be great for the local economy.
“I think it’s good for business, the fact it will bring a lot of people into Conroe,” Apostolo said.
Some shop owners downtown expressed concern with safety, but overall saw the rally as a boost to business. Like most in Conroe, Apostolo is a Trump supporter. Election data shows over 70% of Conroe voted for Trump in 2020 and nearly 80% in 2016.
However, democrats say they aren’t concerned about Trump’s visit. Montgomery County Democratic Party Deputy Chair Ginger Blair says they’re continuing business as usual.
“We’re just doing what we do 365 days a week,” she said.
Organizers were busy preparing for the midterm elections at its headquarters in Conroe Friday. They see his visit as a sign the Republican Party is in trouble.
“We personally feel that it is a cry for help that you have to come to Conroe, Texas,” she said. “He didn’t come here when he was trying to get elected, so the question is, why are you here now as a past president?”
Blair says Montgomery County Democrats have increased its voters by 30% from 2018 to 2020. Election records from 2020 show an over six point increase in Democrats in the county.
“We’re growing leaps and bounds,” Blair said.
But even though Conroe’s voters are divided, the community agrees that Trump’s Rally puts Conroe on the map.
Trump is expected to speak at 7 p.m. at Saturday’s event.
The other speakers at the rally are republican candidates who will be on the ballot in March. They include Chairman Matt Rinaldi, State Senator Dawn Buckingham, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, Attorney General Ken Paxton, Lt. Gov Dan Patrick and Gov. Gregg Abbott.