The themes were familiar when former President Donald Trump took the stage in Chesapeake last week at his first post-debate rally: stolen elections and what he described as President Joe Biden’s failures, but this time there was plenty of Virginia, too.
Trump, declaring he would win the state that rejected him in 2016 and 2020, was full of praise for Gov. Glenn Youngkin — and Youngkin for Trump — as the governor warmed up the crowd on June 28 for what would be a nearly 90-minute speech by the former president.
More than an hour into Trump’s remarks, he called Youngkin to the microphone: “I think this is the best Trump rally ever,” Youngkin declared. “Mr. President, eight years ago you left your business career and built a great America and, in Virginia, we’re going to work to elect Donald Trump back to the White House.”
It was Youngkin’s first public appearance with Trump, who also called to the stage Hung Cao, the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, and Attorney General Jason Miyares. The former president also urged the crowd to reelect Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, whose district includes the rural stretch of Chesapeake, just a few miles north of the state line, where the campaign staged the rally.
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Despite the heat and humidity, supporters turned up hours earlier — there were plenty of MAGA hats and red, white and blue colors.
But few required convincing about who they would support. The aim of the rally was to whip up enthusiasm of people already planning to vote, to make sure they turn out and bring others with them to the polls.
“I listen to all his speeches; I’m not expecting to hear anything new,” said Tony Vercher of Chesapeake. “But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see him ... and to show support.”