Donald Trump team scouting for first Arizona visit as president

President Donald Trump might return to Arizona this month for an appearance in a state that helped hand him the White House and where he remains popular with Republicans.

Representatives of the president have been scouting locations for a public event, including the Phoenix Convention Center where he held several rallies during his campaign for president.

"We've had some calls from his people" to reserve space the week of Aug. 21, said Kevin Hill, marketing director for the Phoenix Convention Center. "We haven't held space yet, but we've confirmed that we've talked to them, and they're looking at us and that's all we have at this point."

Trump is tentatively planning a rally-like event, according to sources familiar with the planning but who are not authorized to speak publicly about the president's plans.

The White House press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about a possible presidential visit.

While Trump remains popular with Arizona Republicans, the enthusiasm is more measured among the state's congressional delegation.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., cast the decisive vote that scuttled GOP health-care plans in the Senate, a development that Trump has railed against. U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., recently published a book critical of the Republican Party's embrace of Trump.

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is among the president's most vocal critics. And U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., who represents a district that voted for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton last year, has tried to maintain a distance from Trump.

During the presidential race, Trump held seven campaign rallies in Arizona, from Tucson to Prescott Valley.

Republic reporter Ronald J. Hansen contributed to this article. Follow the reporter on Twitter @yvonnewingett and reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.

READ MORE:

Trump: U.S. will not 'rule out military option' in Venezuela

Trump: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un 'will regret it fast' if he threatens U.S. or allies

Senator suggests Sen. John McCain's health may have affected his 'Obamacare' vote

RNC chair to Flake: GOP candidates who didn't support Trump lost