JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Former President Donald Trump will come to Johnstown on Friday in his campaign bid for reelection.
Trump’s campaign is planning to appear at 1st Summit Arena in downtown Johnstown — marking his first return to Western Pennsylvania since July 13’s shooting in Butler, and his first Johnstown stop since a 2020 visit to the John P Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport.
“A Trump-Vance Administration will Make America Great Again by unleashing American drilling to halve energy costs, halting the migrant invasion on our southern border, and restoring America’s rightful standing and respect on the world stage,” Trump’s campaign wrote in a release to media.
Trump’s team issued a release that largely keyed in on his November opponent, Kamala Harris, who has propelled her party’s chances since joining the race, polls show. Harris was also under the spotlight all week during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
With polls close, both nominees are spending more time in likely “battleground states” — Pennsylvania included.
Trump received 68% of the vote in Cambria County in 2020 over current President Joe Biden — a slight bump over his 2016 showing vs. then-nominee Hilary Clinton’s showing — but lost the statewide Pennsylvania race.
72nd district in play Cambria County Democratic Party officials said Sunday the latest polls — and momentum — have Trump “running scared” to try to rally his base.
But Cambria County Republican Chairwoman Jackie Kulback said Sunday there’s no need. She’s seen a reborn level of excitement for Trump this summer.
The 45th president’s visit — and several other pro-Trump rallies planned by the local party in the coming weeks — will only further propel his election night outcome this fall, Kulback said.
To Kulback, Trump also recognizes the impact a Johnstown state House could have statewide on Pennsylvania priorities Trump is counting on.
Pennsylvania Republicans are aiming to retake control of the state House of Representatives, with their candidate, Amy Bradley, “the best chance we’ve had” to unseat longtime 72nd sistrict state Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor.
She noted Trump’s announcement comes less than two weeks after Trump met Bradley at a Wilkes-Barre campaign stop.
And Pennsylvania needs a Republican majority to advance bills such as a voter ID-focused “election integrity” bill through the House floor, Kulback added.
“We already know Trump is going to be strong across Cambria County,” she said. “What we’re seeing is that he’s looking for opportunities to have an impact across the state – in races such as the 72nd.
“I think Amy was able to articulate how important this race is for Pennsylvania (to Trump). And I’m glad he listened,” Kulback said.
Dems: Trump’s grip slippingCambria County Democratic Party Chair Nina Licastro said she doubted Trump is thinking about the 72nd district. He is far more concerned about himself at the moment, she said.
But Licastro doesn’t question Republicans are trying their hardest to unseat Burns — a “proven fighter” for his district, Licastro said.
“Frank is beholden only to his constituents — and he delivers,” she said.
Given Harris’ surge in momentum, some districts across Pennsylvania are suddenly in play for Democrats to keep and regain – an exciting turnaround, she said.
“Everyone says this area is “Trump Country” — but I think the reason he’s coming here is that he’s not so sure anymore,” Licastro said. “Many people are tired of the hate, the lies and the grift. They see Kamala as someone who wants to unite us.”
Trump to talk
energy, inflation The “Trump-Vance 2024” campaign release said Trump plans to focus on the U.S.-Mexico border, inflation and fracking — as he visits a region that sits atop Marcellus Shale.
Trump’s team said Harris would crack down on the hydraulic gas-extracting fracking process — a position Harris favored during her 2020 bid for the presidency.
The Harris campaign has noted that, as vice president, she’s fully supported the Biden administration’s pledge to allow fracking and will do the same as president.
Trump’s campaign counters Harris has “flip-flopped” before.
“Since Harris and Biden took office, Kamala Harris has turned her back on everyday Pennsylvanians and broken one promise after another” — “wrecking America’s energy workers,” they wrote.
Trump, they added, would “unleash” American energy.
Post-shooting visitTrump’s visit marks the first indoor visit he’d make in the area this campaign, after visiting Johnstown and Altoona’s airports in 2020.
The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport stop lured an estimated crowd of 6,000 four years ago.
Kulback was not involved in the venue planning — but said 1st Summit Arena was the only site she was aware was discussed for the Friday visit.
1st Summit is a 4,000-seat venue for concerts and similar events.
Kulback said she expects the venue will be packed for Trump’s visit — but the indoor switch is a “sad” reality of the need to select enclosed spaces that are easier to secure in the wake of a lone gunman’s attempted assassination against Trump on July 13 in Butler County
“It’s very sad that it’s come to this,” Kulback said of the need for security changes.
Trump to campaign in Johnstown When: Friday Where: 1st Summit Arena (Doors open: 12:30 p.m; Trump to speak at 4:30 p.m.) Cost: Free How to attend: Attendees can register to attend online by clicking here. {related_content_uuid}575a21c5-1c61-45ac-9fb1-a2c1bdb9115b{/related_content_uuid}
David Hurst is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @TDDavidHurst and Instagram @TDDavidHurst
