Former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Republican Dave McCormick’s Senate campaign in Pennsylvania. The endorsement came during a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, marking Trump’s final campaign event before the commencement of jury selection in his New York hush money trial.
“David McCormick is a good man, a smart and successful individual who has sacrificed much to run for Senate,” Trump told his supporters. “He is the Republican Party’s nominee, and I urge you to vote for him over Bob Casey, who has done nothing noteworthy.”
McCormick, a former hedge fund executive, announced his Senate campaign in September and is currently unopposed in the April 23 Republican primary. Despite a strained past relationship between Trump and McCormick, the endorsement was not entirely unexpected. McCormick was absent from the rally due to a prior family commitment but expressed his gratitude for the endorsement via social media.
Trump’s Endorsement Strategy
Trump has now endorsed all candidates backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in major swing states, with the exception of Nevada. His endorsement strategy aims to replicate his 2016 victory in Pennsylvania, a crucial win that contributed to his ascension to the White House.
Trump’s rally also addressed recent international events, including Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Israel. He criticized the current administration’s handling of the situation, attributing the attacks to perceived weakness.
Upcoming Hush Money Trial
Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania marked his last scheduled campaign event before the start of his hush money trial in New York. The former president spent a significant portion of his speech criticizing the case, which he views as a form of election interference. Despite the upcoming trial, Trump remains committed to his campaign efforts, with his next scheduled appearance set for April 20 in North Carolina.
As the trial commences, Trump will need to balance his time between the courtroom and the campaign trail during a critical period for his general election bid. His team is working to maintain his engagement with voters and donors despite the trial’s demanding schedule.
This story has been updated with additional information. Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Kristen Holmes and Shania Shelton.