The trip marks Trump’s first campaign rally since his unusual midterm convention in Dallas. The president, despite voter frustrations over the Iran war and his economic leadership, has promised dozens more trips ahead of Election Day. Trump's involvement creates a balancing act for Republicans like Whatley, who depend on the president’s core supporters to turn out while also trying to appeal to moderates and disaffected conservatives who are unhappy with the direction of the country.
Whatley was the president’s pick for the Senate race and, before that, Trump’s pick to lead the Republican National Committee. Republicans viewed him as a strong recruit to hold the seat being left open by Sen. Thom Tillis, who decided to retire after clashing with the president last year. But Whatley, who is making his first bid for public office, has trailed Cooper in fundraising in recent months and polling over the summer showed Cooper with at least a slight lead.
Trump has acknowledged the challenging landscape but believes his presence will be a clear boost.
“In North Carolina, you have a little more difficult case, because people don’t quite get it, but they’re going to find out,” Trump said during his keynote speech in Dallas.
