ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In a surprising move as the election approaches, former President Donald Trump is set to visit New Mexico and Virginia, states that have not favored Republican presidential candidates in many years. His campaign will stop in Albuquerque on Thursday and in Salem, Virginia, on Saturday.
Trump’s team expresses optimism based on the early voting figures and believes he could hold his own against Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in both locations—especially New Mexico, if he succeeds in securing swing states like Nevada and Arizona. This attitude is maintained despite the fact that New Mexico and Virginia have not supported a Republican nominee for president since George W. Bush’s victory in 2004.
In recent months, key battleground states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan have seen a flurry of political activity, with candidates frequently visiting and a notable increase in campaign ads on various platforms. Just in the last two weeks, visits by presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls totaled 21 in Pennsylvania, 17 in Michigan, and 13 in North Carolina. In contrast, a candidate’s visit in other states is often a rare occurrence.
Despite strong opposition in these areas, Trump still maintains a loyal base that rallies behind him, filling venues with enthusiastic crowds. Recently, he has ventured outside the main battlegrounds for events in places such as Madison Square Garden in New York and Coachella, California—areas that lean significantly Democratic. These visits not only bolster his claims of potential victories but also aim to generate media traction among those less engaged in current political discussions.
Trump’s appearances have also crossed into staunch Republican territory, including a stop in Montana. Furthermore, both he and Harris campaigned simultaneously in Texas, a state that hasn’t gone Democratic since 1976. These travels often serve to spotlight issues significant in those states and assist local House or Senate candidates.
A spokesperson for the Republican National Committee remarked that Harris’s policies have fallen short for many Americans, and Trump’s presence is an attempt to resonate with hardworking families across the nation.
However, this strategy comes with its challenges. After Trump’s 2016 victory, Hillary Clinton faced criticism for visiting Arizona late in her campaign when crucial states like Wisconsin and Michigan, which ultimately decided the election, were neglected. Although Arizona is now a battleground state, it was not viewed as competitive back then, making Trump’s decision to campaign in such areas puzzling for some experts.
The forthcoming visit to Albuquerque positions Trump in a state that borders Mexico, which has the highest percentage of Latino voters in the U.S. This move is particularly aimed at courting the Hispanic community, where approximately 44% of eligible voters identify as Hispanic, rooted in rich historical ties to Mexican and Spanish settlements.
Compounding the situation, local officials are facing an increase in migrant deaths at the southern border. Trump’s visit will also have relevance for a congressional district that is currently a Democratic stronghold, as Republicans aim to maintain a slim majority in the House. Immigration is a focal point in that district’s ongoing campaigns.
Additionally, Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich is up for re-election against Republican Nella Domenici, daughter of the late Senator Pete Domenici, who was the last Republican in that seat. Despite past refusals by New Mexico residents to support Trump, the political landscape remains complex.
Virginia, once a notable swing state, has swung more Democratic in recent years, especially in Northern Virginia’s suburban areas. Trump lost both the 2016 and 2020 elections here, and current data shows that Democratic candidates have significantly outspent Republicans on ad campaigns this election cycle, although spending levels remain modest compared to mainstream battlegrounds.
While speaking from a recent Richmond rally, Trump expressed his confidence, stating that Virginia could prove more contestable than pundits expect. His upcoming remarks in Virginia might also touch on a Supreme Court ruling concerning voter registration purges aimed at deterring non-citizen voting, which Governor Glenn Youngkin has supported.
As Trump prepares for his visit, Democratic leaders like Virginia’s party chair have suggested his presence will only solidify Harris’s lead, predicting a significant victory for her in the state.
