Trump rally in Rock Hill draws early crowds with thin Graham presence
Vendors sold date-stamped pins while voters said they came for the president, not the Senate candidate he is endorsing.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
Dozens of people stood in line before the sun fully rose on Thursday morning at the Rock Hill Sports & Events Center. The early gathering marked a departure from the complex's usual quiet mornings. The crowd assembled to see President Donald Trump campaign for Darline Graham, the Republican nominee for the United States Senate seat in South Carolina.
The atmosphere outside was festive, with vendors selling items branded with the president's name. Robert, a vendor who did not provide a last name, displayed hats, pins, and buttons. He called the buttons, which bore the date of the event, alibi buttons because they proved the buyer was present. The merchandise for Graham, the candidate actually up for election, was scarce compared to the supply of Trump gear.
Downing Riley, owner of Everbowl, an acai bowl and smoothie shop located in the same complex, opened his business before his standard 9 a.m. start time. He attributed the decision to the unusual activity. Riley noted that customers purchased items like oatmeal, a change from the typical early morning foot traffic. The shop's early opening proved profitable due to the influx of rally attendees.
Supporters at the site indicated their primary focus was on the president rather than the Senate race. Terry Pennington, a supporter from North Carolina who wore a garbage can costume, cited a past comment by Hillary Clinton. He described the crowd as deplorable garbage in reference to that remark. Pennington explained that he does not support every Republican but opposes all Democrats. He said, I don't believe in everything the Republican Party does, but I ain't for all the Republicans. But I ain't for none of the damn Democrats. Excuse my language.
Michael Curcio drove from Florence at 3 a.m. to attend the rally. He connected Graham to her sister, Lindsey Graham, and suggested she would follow in her sister's political footsteps. Curcio was uncertain if that trajectory was good or bad for the candidate. He stated he would likely vote straight Republican. He added, I'm probably going to vote straight Republican. Right or wrong, this is who [Trump] supports. So I think another way to throw support his way is by working with the candidates that he thinks are good.
Graham attended the event, but U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, a Republican, was absent. Norman lost to Graham in the August primary for the Senate nomination. Rock Hill is Norman's hometown and holds a large number of voters who supported his previous bids for the Senate and the South Carolina governorship. Norman has stated that Graham is not the best candidate for him. He pledged to back her in solidarity with the conservative movement but noted his family would not. His son, Warren, endorsed Democratic challenger Annie Andrews.
A spokesperson for Norman's office said on Thursday that the congressman was working in Washington. The representative added that Norman was not paying much attention to the president's visit to Rock Hill. Graham remains in a close race with Andrews as the election approaches.
The rally featured a high volume of Trump merchandise, including T-shirts, sweaters, and headwear. The visual presence of the president's branding dominated the complex. Graham's campaign materials were less visible to observers at the site. The event served as a stump speech for the Senate candidate but functioned as a demonstration of support for the current administration.
