Yvonne Wingett Sanchez

The Republic | azcentral.com

He’s coming back.

Donald Trump, the combative billionaire vying for the Republican nomination for president, is scheduled to travel to Phoenix in advance of the March 22 presidential preference election, The Arizona Republic has learned.

The Trump campaign plans to hold a rally on Saturday at a yet-to-be-determined venue, sources with knowledge of his plans confirmed. The rally almost certainly will draw thousands of his loyalists and those still choosing between Trump and Republican rivals U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, of Texas, and Marco Rubio, of Florida, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

With the visit several days away, those sources said, Trump's schedule could change.

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Cancellation of a Trump rally in Chicago on Friday night because of violent clashes between supporters and protesters could be a factor in where or whether the planned Phoenix event goes forward. The Chicago troubles were the latest in a string of violent incidents at Trump events.

The Trump campaign was still working to secure a location for the rally, the sources said.

The bombastic presidential front-runner has rallied supporters in Arizona twice during the race.

His first stop came in July, on the heels of comments he’d made about immigrants — calling them rapists and criminals. The rally drew thousands to the downtown Phoenix Convention Center for the raucous event, which also drew dozens of protesters who gathered outside to condemn his remarks.

Months later, in December, Trump staged an event at a Mesa airport hangar, where his plane, "Trump Force One," served as a backdrop. During that speech, he received some of the loudest applause when he promised to build a massive wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and kick millions of undocumented immigrants out of the country.

Top Arizona GOP leaders largely ignored Trump during those visits. More recently, they have said they would begrudgingly support him as the GOP nominee. State Treasurer Jeff DeWit, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Gov. Jan Brewer have endorsed Trump's candidacy.

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Follow the reporter on Twitter at @yvonnewingett and reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.