Rock Hill Rally Draws Crowds for Trump as Senate Contest Tightens

President Donald Trump arrived in Rock Hill on Thursday to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Darline Graham, drawing crowds that began forming before sunrise outside the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center. The event put Trump at the center of a Senate race in which Graham faces Democrat Annie Andrews.

Vendors set up outside the venue selling Trump-branded hats, pins and buttons, some stamped with Thursday's date. One seller, who gave his name only as Robert, said of the buttons: "They got the date and the 'I was here.' I call them alibi buttons." Downing Riley, who owns Everbowl in the complex, said he opened before his usual 9 a.m. start time after seeing the turnout. "I got a couple people just came through here," Riley said. "They got some oatmeal, so that was fun."

Attendees interviewed outside the venue said they came to see Trump. Terry Pennington, a Trump supporter who lives in North Carolina and cannot vote in South Carolina, wore a costume styled after remarks Hillary Clinton made about Trump supporters. "I don't believe in everything the Republican Party does," Pennington said. "I ain't for all the Republicans. But I ain't for none of the damn Democrats. Excuse my language."

Michael Curcio drove from Florence at 3 a.m. to attend. He said Graham is "Lindsey's sister" and that the two are close, adding: "I'm expecting that she's going to follow in Lindsey's footsteps. I'm not sure if that's good or bad." Asked whether he would vote for Graham, Curcio said: "I'm probably going to vote straight Republican. Right or wrong, this is who [Trump] supports. So I think another way to throw support his way is by working with the candidates that he thinks are good."

Graham won the Republican Senate nomination in August, defeating U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman in the primary. Norman, whose district includes Rock Hill, did not attend Thursday's rally. A spokesperson for Norman's office said the congressman was working in Washington and was not paying close attention to the president's visit. Norman has said Graham is not his preferred candidate and that while he has pledged to support her in line with the conservative movement, his family will not; his son, Warren Norman, has endorsed Andrews.

The race between Graham and Andrews remains close. Trump's appearance in Rock Hill put the national spotlight on the contest for the seat held by Republicans.

Graham attended the rally. The event drew supporters from across the region, including some who traveled hours to reach the venue before dawn.