Close To 100,000 Supporters Show Up For Trump Rally In Deep Blue New Jersey

A rally headlined by former President Donald Trump drew nearly 100,000 supporters in Wildwood, New Jersey, which is a popular vacation spot for residents of Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Throngs of supporters could be seen lining up hours before former President Trump’s arrival for the rally, which took place not far from the Wildwood boardwalk. Wildwood — which boasts a permanent resident population below 10,000 — is a popular vacation destination on the jersey shore, particularly with residents of southeast Pennsylvania.

Trump had hinted at holding rallies in New Jersey in the past. Widely considered a solid blue state, New Jersey was the site of one of the most shockingly close gubernatorial election races in 2021. Democrat incumbent Phil Murphy managed to squeak by Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli by less than three percentage points in race that was projected as D+10 according to most pollsters, a result that gave Republicans hope.

The former president has tapped Rep. Jeff Van Drew to head up his campaign in New Jersey. Van Drew, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party due to his objections over the Trump impeachment trials, has become one of the former president’s strongest allies in the Garden State.

Van Drew has cruised to re-election twice since switching parties.

“I have known Jeff for a long time and consider him to be one of the best political minds anywhere,” Trump said in a Truth Social post this past November.  “He feels, as do I, that because the Biden Administration has been so bad to the Garden State, that we have a very good chance of winning New Jersey.”

“We will put it on our list for rallies and all other forms of events, and make a concerted effort to Win! I spend a great deal of time in New Jersey, love the State, and its people. With what is going on in our country now, open and broken borders, record setting crime, high taxes and regulations, disrespect of our military and vets, the worst Inflation in 72 years, and a terrible economy, we will win New Jersey, and possibly by a lot,” Trump announced at the time.  “Jeff Van Drew will put his talents on display for all to see.”

If Trump does manage to carry New Jersey, he will become the first Republican to do so since Ronald Reagan in 1988.