President Donald Trump will be visiting western Pennsylvania next week to boost the Republican candidate for a congressional seat that is open because of a sex scandal.

Politico reports that Trump's visit, which will include a factory tour in Pittsburgh on Thursday, is aimed at supporting GOP hopeful Rick Saccone in the race for the 18th Congressional District,

Saccone is facing Democrat Colin Lamb, a lawyer and Marine Corps veteran.

The special election, set for March 13, was triggered by the resignation of GOP Rep. Tim Murphy in October. Murphy quit after being accused of having an extramarital affair and asking the woman to have an abortion.

There was no primary in the 18th District. The candidates were chosen by their respective parties.

The Republicans are loath to lose any seats their party holds in Congress, given the GOP's narrow majority. The 18th District, which includes parts of Greene, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, is considered "Trump Country." He won that region handily in the 2016 election.