Trump goes to Macon next Sunday for Kemp

President Donald Trump is expected to hold a rally in Macon on Nov. 4 for Brian Kemp, to give a major boost to the Republican's campaign for the governor before his clash with Democrat Stacey Abrams.

Many news outlets have announced that Trump will include a stopover in Macon as part of a national blitz of electoral rallies across the country ahead of the Nov. 6 elections. The Kemp campaign did not comment immediately.

Trump endorsed Kemp a few days before the second round of the GOP in July, contributing to his victory over Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. And Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled for a three-stage tour with Kemp this week. But until Sunday, it was not known if the president would make a personal intervention.

On the track, Kemp is much more likely to summon the last two Republican governors – Nathan Deal and Sonny Lost – than Trump. At each stop, Kemp blames Abrams for attempting to portray himself as the inheritor of Deal's legacy.

This is a stark contrast to the beginning of the campaign, where he directly linked with Trump and even unveiled a "Georgia First" mantra inspired by the president's slogan.

But Kemp aggressively sought his support, hoping to increase his turnout in the latter part of the race. With polls showing Kemp in a neck-and-neck race with Abrams, the Republican told AJJ earlier this week that he was preparing the welcome mat for Trump.

"We hope this is the case," Kemp told the president, whose approval ratings have reached 50 percent in recent polls. "We would like to have it."

Abrams got the endorsement of former President Barack Obama, who could still campaign for her. But she largely avoided targeting the president on the campaign trail while a long list of potential candidates for 2020 campaigned with her.

The Democrats in Georgia are worried about making the race a referendum on Trump – and perhaps more activating the Republicans – in a state he was wearing with five percentage points.

Trump's visit would take place on the same day as the Channel 2 Action News debate between the three candidates. It is unclear whether Kemp would still participate in the event, which will feature Abrams and libertarian Ted Metz.

Plus: Will Trump make a late intervention in the Georgia government race?