Trump sets Fort Myers campaign stop
Presidential candidate Donald Trump will make a campaign stop in Southwest Florida next week.
The Republican nominee has a rally scheduled for Monday at 3 p.m. at the Germain Arena, at 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero, according to his campaign website. The doors will open at 1 p.m.
Roz Lesser, Lee County campaign co-chair, explained that she has been hoping since the primary election that Trump would come to the local area. Trump visited Sarasota during the primary.
“I’m just so thrilled they decided to let him come,” she said on Thursday.
“We’re going to have the opportunity to see the next president of the United States,” Lesser added.
An estimated 10,000 people are anticipated to fill the arena.
“The arena seats about 8,500, and they can fit about 2,000 on the floor,” she said.
The program is expected to last until approximately 5 p.m., with Trump speaking at about 3:30 p.m.
Lesser did not know what the theme would be or what topics he would talk about.
“We haven’t been told,” she said.
While Trump’s running mate Mike Pence will not be present, a list of speakers is planned.
“Mostly prominent, local Republican candidates or elected officials,” Lesser said.
A sole singer will perform the national anthem during the rally.
Officials recommended getting to the arena early at 10 a.m. to get in line.
“Wear comfortable shoes,” she said. “Bring water, bring snacks.”
There will be a charge for on-site parking.
Once inside, food and drinks will be available for purchase at the concession stands.
Volunteers will be registering people to vote, signing up voters to receive mail ballots and more.
“They’ll be given those opportunities,” Lesser said.
Organizers only received the call about Trump coming last week.
“A challenge is preparing an event for 10,000 people with six days’ notice,” she said.
Campaign officials and about 50 volunteers helped pull the event together.
“Our primary function here has been organizing the volunteers and getting the elected officials together,” Lesser said.
But it is all worth it in the end.
“We want the general public to see him,” she said, adding that perhaps the undecided voters in Lee County will lean toward Trump in the general election after seeing and hearing him in person.
For more information, visit online at: www.donaldjtrump.com/.