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Supporters Gather at Columbia Airport in Anticipation of Trump Rally

Nathan Lawrence
/
KBIA
Rally attendees Bonnie Langreder and Karian Cook say they've never seen Trump in person before.

President Donald Trump is headed to Columbia Thursday for a rally at the Columbia Regional Airport.

The rally marks Trump's first stop in Columbia since his 2016 election. He's expected to rally support for Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley's U.S. Senate run less than a week before the election. Hawley, a Republican, is challenging Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, in a close race that could determine control of the Senate.

Supporters have been gathering since early this morning. Hallsville resident Karian Cook said she came out to the rally today because she voted for Trump. Cook said she plans to vote for Hawley.

"Claire has had her chance, and she hasn't done anything," Cook said. "She's been sitting up in Washington D.C. not doing much."

McCaskill has two scheduled campaign stops in the St. Louis area today. Trump will be in Missouri one more time before the midterm election. He'll be in Cape Girardeau next week.

Trump has previously made stops in Springfield, Kansas City and St. Louis.

Rebecca Smith is an award-winning reporter and producer for the KBIA Health & Wealth Desk. Born and raised outside of Rolla, Missouri, she has a passion for diving into often overlooked issues that affect the rural populations of her state – especially stories that broaden people’s perception of “rural” life.
Nathan Lawrence is an editor, documentary filmmaker and data journalist.