President Donald Trump is heightening his support for Republican businessman Eddie Rispone in the Louisiana governor's race, planning a rally next week in the northeastern end of the state.
Trump announced he'll travel to Monroe for a Wednesday evening event, in the middle of the weeklong early voting period for the Nov. 16 election. The event will be held at 7 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center.
In addition, the Republican president released an endorsement video Thursday. He urges Louisiana voters to cast their ballots for Rispone and oust incumbent John Bel Edwards, the Deep South's only Democratic governor.
Trump's rally will be in the heart of the congressional district represented by Republican Ralph Abraham, the third-place finisher in the governor's race primary.
Edwards also has been targeting Abraham's voters, hoping to win their support by reminding them of Rispone's attacks on Abraham.