Nov. 2, 2020 10:45p
(WPR/WGTD)---On the eve of Election Day, President Donald Trump made a final push in Wisconsin, telling voters in Kenosha Monday night that he would win the state and the election Tuesday.
Trump spoke to a large crowd at Stein's Aircraft Services at the Kenosha Regional Airport — his second stop in the city during the campaign, and his third visit to Wisconsin in just one week.
The president told the group Wisconsin is the state that put him over the top in 2016.
"We’re going to do very well in Wisconsin just like we did four years ago," Trump said. "Tomorrow we are going to win this state, and we are going to win four more years in the White House with your vote."
The president’s visit comes after roughly 1.9 million Wisconsin residents have already voted, a figure that represents 63 percent of the state's overall turnout in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
Both presidential candidates have been making last-minute efforts in the state where Trump won by less than 23,000 votes four years ago. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Trump were in Wisconsin on Friday.
The most recent Marquette University Law School poll, released last week, showed Biden leading Trump by 5 points among likely voters in Wisconsin.
Forty-eight percent of those surveyed said they support Biden, compared to 43 percent for Trump — a gap within the 4.4 percent margin of error.
A poll released Monday from CNBC/Change Research shows Biden holds a narrow lead over Trump six major 2020 election swing states: Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Trump touted the economy under his leadership and pressed his message of law and order. The president falsely claimed credit for sending National Guard troops to Kenosha after the police shooting of Jacob Blake at the end of August incited days of protests and violence, boasting he "saved the city." National Guard troops were deployed at the request of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.
While Trump spoke, Blake’s family held a counter rally at Civic Center Park in downtown Kenosha that was attended by several hundred people. The "Justice for Jacob Blake Coalition" brought in generators to power a video screen, public address system and light a tent where food was offered. .
During his speech, Trump acknowledged the endorsement he received from Republican Kenosha County Sheriff Dave Beth. Beth, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and 1st District Congressman Bryan Steil spoke before Trump arrived.
Trump touched on COVID-19, saying the election is a choice between a "deadly Biden lockdown and a vaccine."
"We're rounding the turn, we have great vaccines coming," Trump said, adding that while being treated for coronavirus he was given Regeneron, but doesn't think he needed it. "We're going to make it free to anybody that needs it. "I'm sure I didn't. I'm a perfect specimen."
Trump, who was running about an hour late, spoke for about 75 minutes, although part of the time was spent dealing with a microphone-related technical issue. He joked that he wasn't going to pay for the sound system rental.
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