HOLDEN, Maine — Donald Trump Jr. campaigned in Maine on Wednesday at the Maine Military Supply store in Holden, which got underway around 6:30 p.m.
Before the event, the Trump campaign said Don Jr.'s event would be a general rally-type event, intended to connect with Maine voters and spread Trump's "Make America Great Again" agenda.
Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who was introduced as the governor, spoke before Don Jr. took the stage.
Republican Congressional candidate for Maine's 2nd Congressional District Dale Crafts also joined LePage and Don Jr. at the event.
Wednesday morning Don Jr. was on WGAN Morning News radio to talk about the event. He expressed Maine, specifically the 2nd Congressional District, is important in the election because the state splits electoral college votes. Maine is one of only two states in the country that splits votes, rather than the "winner take all" practice the other 48 states adhere by.
“Everything’s important you never know where things are gonna go," Don Jr. said. "Obviously it’s a crazy sort of electoral map these days, ya know, Maine is one of those states that you have that split—every vote counts, every electoral college vote counts, and we’re gonna go after all of ‘em.”
The Holden Police Department will be assisting the campaign with traffic and safety measures. Chief Chris Greeley says cars driving on Route 1A through Holden should be patient as traffic may be backed up between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. due to the event.
Greeley said regardless of which campaign it is, anyone of this magnitude visiting is good for the town.
The Don Jr. event comes amid a slew of campaign trips in New England in recent weeks. Trump's other son, Eric, has events in Maine and New Hampshire last week, and Vice President Mike Pence was in the Granite State on Tuesday.
Eric Trump's event in Saco on Thursday drew about 200 supporters to the Camp Ellis pier. The event was intended to focus on the lobster industry; Trump has said he thinks he should win Maine because of measures he's taken to help the Maine lobster industry.
In response to Don Jr.’s visit to Holden on Wednesday, Maine Democratic Chair Kathleen Marra released the following statement:
“Donald Trump Jr. can’t do anything to make Mainers forget his father’s disastrous record. President Trump promised better trade deals, cheaper health care, and to defend working Americans. He’s broken every one of those promises and allowed 200,000 Americans to die from the coronavirus pandemic to boot. Maine voters are tired of Trump’s chaotic leadership that has hurt their families, and they’re ready for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House," says Marra.
NEWS CENTER Maine will be covering Don Jr.'s event. You can watch his remarks LIVE at 6 p.m. on the NEWS CENTER Maine website, mobile app, and Facebook page. Stay tuned for updates.
Follow Sam Rogers (@slaminsamNCM) and Hannah Yechivi (@hannahyechiviTV) on Twitter for live updates.