Trump to hold rally in Georgia ahead of Senate runoffs

President Trump on Sunday announced plans to hold a rally in Georgia to garner support for the Republican candidates the day before the state’s two Senate runoff elections.

The president tweeted on Sunday that he will head to Georgia on Jan. 4 for a rally backing Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.) before the runoffs that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. 

“On behalf of two GREAT Senators, @sendavidperdue & @KLoeffler, I will be going to Georgia on Monday night, January 4th., to have a big and wonderful RALLY,” Trump posted. “So important for our Country that they win!”

On behalf of two GREAT Senators, @sendavidperdue & @KLoeffler, I will be going to Georgia on Monday night, January 4th., to have a big and wonderful RALLY. So important for our Country that they win!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2020

The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced it will host the “Victory Rally” in Dalton, Ga., at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4. The RNC noted that all attendees will have their temperature checked and be provided with access to hand sanitizer and masks “which they are instructed to wear.”

Loeffler and Perdue will also speak at the rally at the Dalton Municipal Airport. 

Loeffler and Perdue are facing off against Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively, in the Jan. 5 runoffs. The two Senate races were sent to runoffs after no candidate in either election won a majority of the vote. 

If the Democratic candidates win both seats, the upper chamber will be split 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris being the tie-breaking vote. If either Republican senator reclaims their seat, the GOP will retain control of the Senate. 

Trump campaigned for the two Republican senators last month, claiming during a speech that the presidential election had been “rigged” against him. Vice President Pence has also spent time in Georgia rallying support for the two Republicans. 

In the meantime, the president has refused to concede to President-elect Joe Biden after Biden’s election win, promoting claims about widespread voter fraud without presenting supporting evidence. 

Democrats are hopeful they can turn the Senate seats blue on Jan. 5 after Biden became the first Democratic presidential nominee to win the Peach State since 1992.

Biden has campaigned for the Democratic contenders, encouraging Georgia voters to put Warnock and Ossoff in office to give him the Senate majority in addition to the slim House majority for the Democrats.