Rep. Marsha Blackburn is locked in a close race to replace the retiring Sen. Bob Corker. Republicans hope that President Donald Trump (center) can draw GOP voters away from her opponent. | Alex Wong/Getty Images Trump to hold rally for Blackburn in Tennessee

President Donald Trump will hold a rally and fundraiser for Tennessee Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn on May 29, according to a Republican source familiar with the event.

Blackburn, a conservative House member, is locked in a close race with former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, who remains popular in the state and has some support from centrist Republicans. The race to replace the retiring Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) is critical in the battle for the Senate, and Republicans hope Trump‘s role will draw GOP voters away from Bredesen, who built coalitions of GOP support in his gubernatorial campaigns.


A Vanderbilt University poll released on Thursday showed Trump has a 53 percent approval rating in the state. Bredesen was viewed favorably by 67 percent of respondents, and Blackburn had a 49 percent favorability rating. Both have similar name recognition in the state.

Other polls have shown Bredesen with a slight edge, though Republicans privately expect a barrage of advertisements tying him to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The rally will be at Nashville Municipal Auditorium.