John Ferro, and Nina Schutzman

Poughkeepsie Journal

Now that the final details are set, local supporters of Donald Trump are looking forward to hearing firsthand from the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination.

"We definitely do need a change," said Jim Beyer, a 72-year-old Beekman resident. "I think he might be the man for the job."

Trump will hold a rally at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie Sunday at 7 p.m., Dan Scavino, Trump's social media director, confirmed Wednesday.

READ MORE: Trump to hold rally at Mid-Hudson Civic Center Sunday

Tickets to the event will be made available on the campaign's website, Scavino said. The tickets will be free, on a first-come, first-served basis, he said. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

The rally comes two days before voters head to the polls in New York's Democratic and Republican primaries.

Attendees will leave "in awe of Donald Trump's rally speech," Scavino, a Hopewell Junction resident, told the Poughkeepsie Journal. "Everyone present on Sunday will be witnessing political history — and truly feel the inspiration and energy to get out and vote for (Trump) next Tuesday."

Trump has a number of ties to Dutchess County. The business mogul and reality television host owns Trump National Golf Club, Hudson Valley, in Stormville and Trump family members own property locally.

READ MORE: Trump gives Dutchess another connection to presidential race

When Trump's campaign started 10 months ago, "many people laughed and doubted" his candidacy, Scavino added.

"They now see how much he loves America," he said. "He doesn't need to be doing this — he wants to give back, and make America great again. He is not a puppet to any donors or special interests, and he is self-funding his campaign."

"Every penny paid out to the vendors and the Mid-Hudson Civic Center to host this rally is out of his own pocket," Scavino said. "Just like the hundreds of events we have done since June 2015."

Thomas Pape, acting chief of the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, said logistical plans, including possible road closures, had not been determined Wednesday.

A meeting between local agencies and the Secret Service was planned for Thursday, he said.

Trump recently named Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson one of three honorary co-chairmen for his New York campaign.

Among likely Republican primary voters in New York, Trump holds a sizable lead over his Republican rivals, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll released Monday.

Trump is favored by 54 percent of likely Republican primary voters in New York, the poll found, with Kasich at 21 percent and Cruz at 18 percent.

Bill Griffin, a 55-year-old Union Vale resident, said he appreciates Trump's local connections.

"He does a lot of stuff for the community and organizations in the area," Griffin said. "He will stand up for the people."

Trump's rally will mark the second time in less than a week Dutchess County will have been thrust into the presidential primary spotlight. On Tuesday, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders held a rally at Marist College.

"It means that Dutchess is being recognized," said Wilson Duroseau, a 40-year-old Town of Poughkeepsie resident.

READ MORE: Bernie Sanders storms Poughkeepsie

Local Trump supporters listed the economy, immigration and security among their top issues.

"Economy is the main issue," said Dr. Amjad Nesheiwat, a Hopewell Junction-based dentist who said he is leaning toward Trump. "Security would be second, but they are intertwined. With a good, healthy, strong economy, you can pay more into security and build a better security apparatus."

Some local supporters said they hope to see a more restrained approach from the candidate.

"Hopefully, he will be a little less brash and more presidential," said Duroseau, who, as an independent, cannot vote in the primary, but said he would support Trump in the general election.

Nesheiwat, a registered Republican, said all the candidates need to "become a little bit more mature about the way they conduct themselves."

Nesheiwat said he would support whoever becomes the Republican nominee, but hopes that is determined during the primaries and not at a contested convention.

"To go and have a fight in an open, contested convention I don’t think is good for the Republican Party," he said.

John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro. Nina Schutzman: nschutzman@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-451-4518 Twitter: @pojonschutzman.

If you go

What: Donald Trump rally

Where: Mid-Hudson Civic Center

When: 7 p.m., Sunday. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Tickets: Available on the Trump campaign web site, www.donaldjtrump.com/schedule/

On the web

Visit www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/section/elections-2016 for expanded campaign coverage.