Photo: Ulyses Ortega-Espino / Neuse News

The whirlwind final days of a presidential campaign descended on the Kinston Regional Jetport on Sunday, as former President Donald Trump made a brief stop to rally supporters and bolster local Republican officeholders and candidates for office. 

 A crowd of thousands gathered at the FlyExclusive Kinston Jet Center, with some supporters arriving by 6:30 am to line up for the afternoon rally. 

 Sharing the stage at the rally were 1st Congressional District candidate Laurie Buckhout, Rep. Greg Murphy (R - NC 3), and NC Attorney General candidate Rep. Dan Bishop. Pastor John Wiggins of First Missionary Baptist Church of La Grange provided the invocation, and Lenoir County Commissioner Mac Daughety led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Local musician Breanna Smith sang the national anthem. 

 For local resident Mary Henderson, attending the rally is an opportunity to hear from a candidate on the issues that matter to rural residents. 

 “Kinston’s a small town and it’s an honor to have any presidential candidate visit. We went to see Hillary (Clinton) when she was running because I want to hear what a person is going to say about small towns. It’s not just about the big cities,” Henderson said. 

 Trump’s arrival was delayed by nearly two hours past the announced schedule, but the crowd heard from Buckhout, Murphy, Bishop, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), and Trump attorney Alina Habba as they waited for “Trump Force One” to land. 

 The former president spoke for nearly an hour as the sun went down. 

 Kinston business owner Genell Pridgen said she enjoyed the rally and the speech, and that her support for Trump is based on the difficulties she is experiencing due to rising costs.

 “We need him because everybody is suffering, Kinston is suffering, my business is suffering. It cannot continue. With the increase in the cost of goods, it’s killing small businesses and killing families,” Pridgen said. 

 Security at the rally was tight, with rally goers going through Secret Service checks to enter the venue, and a strong police presence. Dozens of Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department deputies and Kinston Police Department officers were in evidence, along with Sheriff Jackie Rogers and Chief Keith Goyette.  

Following his remarks, Trump departed for a rally in Georgia, as the candidates make use of every available minute before Tuesday’s general election. 

Photo: Gracyn Murphy/Neuse News