Trump rally in Hershey: What you need to know about Pennsylvania visit today

Candy Woodall | York Daily Record

UPDATE, WHAT HAPPENED AT THE RALLY: 'The Democrats have nothing': At Pa. rally, Trump looks to 2020 victory amid impeachment

Earlier:

President Donald Trump will be in Hershey on Tuesday, one of multiple campaign stops in battleground states as the impeachment inquiry moves forward.

Trump will be accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence during a "Keep America Great" rally at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in Giant Center. The visit comes on the same day House Democrats are expected to release draft articles of impeachment against Trump.

This will be the president's 35th visit to Pennsylvania since announcing his candidacy during the 2016 election. He visited the state 19 times as a Republican candidate, once as a president-elect and 14 times as a sitting president.

Trump's visit with Pence on Tuesday is the first time the president and vice president have appeared together in Hershey since they came for the "Thank You" tour on Dec. 15, 2016. On that trip, he said, "In four years, we're going to win Pennsylvania by even more."

He won Pennsylvania by 44,292 votes in 2016, thanks in part to thousands of first-time voters in southcentral Pennsylvania.

Analysts say he will need those voters again if he wants to hold on to swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida.

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Trump has drawn some of his largest crowds at Giant Center, which seats more than 10,000 people and has standing room for supporters on the floor. His campaign has previously estimated 13,000 attendees at his Hershey rallies.

How to get tickets

The rally is free, but tickets are required. You can get tickets through Trump's campaign website. Registration was still open as of Tuesday morning. Doors open at 3 p.m.

What will Trump talk about in Hershey?

The president is expected to tout an economic message and highlight the trade deal that will replace NAFTA. Trump and congressional Democrats have reached a consensus on trade as an impeachment inquiry continues to unfold.

But Trump is known for an unscripted approach that covers various topics. He typically speaks off the cuff, and his supporters say they love that about him.

More: 2020 presidential election: Why Pa. is vital to Trump, Biden or anyone else who hopes to win

Who will be there

Two Republican congressmen from the region, Scott Perry and Lloyd Smucker, will be among the president's supporters, their offices confirmed. It's unclear if they will speak. They are both running for re-election in 2020. Other local Republicans are expected to be there.

Scott Wagner, a former state senator who lost a bid for governor in 2018, will not be at the rally due to other commitments, but he did offer to pay for security at the event up to $20,000, according to PennLive.

Protesters are also expected at the event.

President Trump and Melania Trump light the National Christmas Tree President Trump and the first lady Melania light the National Christmas Tree at the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Traffic

Heavy traffic and delays are expected during the president's visit. Temporary road closures are also expected when the president's motorcade moves from Harrisburg International Airport to Giant Center, but local police didn't have a list of closures as of Monday. Traffic will be comparable to large concerts at Hersheypark Stadium, they said.

Parking

Parking is $10.

More: Tuesday's voting woes expose danger that Pennsylvania is not ready for 2020 election

Weather

The high is 54 and the low is 33, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected throughout the day, with the heaviest period from noon to 4 p.m., which is when most attendees will be outside waiting to get in. Snow is in the forecast overnight, but it's not expected to begin until after the Trump rally ends.

How to watch

If you didn't get a ticket or can't make it to Giant Center, there are other ways to follow the president's speech. ABC27 and CBS21 will have a livestream on their websites. The York Daily Record and USA Today will also have coverage before, during and after the event.

More: Here's where Pennsylvania, a swing state in the 2020 election, stands on Trump