Republican Party of Virginia Chair Rich Anderson said he expects a “huge, unprecedented turnout” at President Donald Trump’s rally Friday night in Newport News, citing enthusiasm he said he’s seen across the commonwealth.
Natasha Dwamena, director of the Hampton and Peninsula health districts, said attendance is expected to be 4,000 and asked the host to reconsider, reschedule or scale back the rally, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Press. She said the event “poses a significant public health risk.”
Gov. Ralph Northam has limited gatherings because of the pandemic.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. The event page lists the location as Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, where Air Force One often performs touch-and-go pilot training. It also states the event is taking place at 1200 Bland Blvd., which is the address for Atlantic Aviation, a business that operates at the airport.
A person who answered the phone at Atlantic Aviation said it was not involved in the event and declined to speak further. Airport Director Michael Giardino said Atlantic Aviation is a tenant of the airport and subleasing its space for the rally. He said the airport is supporting Air Force One and is otherwise not involved.
Both Giardino and Atlantic Aviation general manager Richard Martinez were sent letters from government officials Thursday regarding the Trump campaign rally. The Daily Press obtained those letters Thursday afternoon.
On a call with reporters, Anderson said he expects the crowd will exceed the state limit. He said attendees will be asked to wear masks and “take other appropriate precautions.” The campaign has not said if there’s a capacity limit for the event, which requires advance registration.
In her letter to Martinez, Dwamena laid out a timeline of public health guidelines issued by the state during the pandemic. She said the health district received complaints related to the rally and said “considerable evidence from similar events held by (the Trump campaign) show face covering” and social distancing requirements are not being enforced.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey advised Giardino he has “the authority to enforce the Commonwealth’s law and regulations within your facility, and we appreciate your continued cooperation,” according to a letter obtained by the Daily Press.
When the Trump campaign announced the rally earlier this week, presidential advisers told Politico that the real target was voters in northeastern North Carolina, considered part of the Hampton Roads media market. On Thursday, Anderson insisted the Trump campaign believes Virginia is in play. He said Newport News’ location works for a rally because of its proximity to supporters in both states.
He acknowledged statewide elections over the last decade have not gone well for the party, but he said he believes the pendulum is swinging back.
Poll results released Thursday by Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center for Public Policy reported Joe Biden leads Trump by five points, 48%-43%, among likely Virginia voters. Hillary Clinton won the state in 2016 with 49.75% of the vote, and Barack Obama won Virginia in 2008 and 2012.
Del. Nick Freitas and Aliscia Andrews, Republican congressional candidates in other parts of the state, both said they believe Trump’s presidency has energized Republicans in Virginia. Andrews called the state a battleground.
The Newport News Police Department said protocols are in place to keep the president, his staff and the community safe. The department said it has been working with “federal partners.”
The department advised of heavy traffic in the area around the airport and asked people to avoid the area if possible. Police said they don’t plan to block any roads or change traffic flow, but they will announce any changes on social media.
The president’s stop in Newport News will come in between campaign visits in Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday and Middletown, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
Trump last was in the region in March, when he visited Norfolk to see off the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship that was bound for New York to help fight the coronavirus pandemic.
He visited Newport News in March 2017, speaking to sailors and shipbuilders inside the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford while it was still at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Josh Reyes, 757-247-4692, joreyes@dailypress.com
