Trump looks to sway youth vote in State College rally

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — Former President Donald Trump made a pit stop at the Bryce Jordan Center for a rally Saturday afternoon.

This marks the first presidential candidate to visit Centre County this campaign cycle. The Republican Nominee has made multiple stops in the Commonwealth over the past couple of months, but never made his way to State College.

In the past two general elections, Centre County has voted blue, with the difference being a couple of percentage points. But, focusing on college students in a big battleground state resonated with local attendees.

"It means a lot that he's targeting us and he wants to connect with college students," Braden Callen, a freshman at Penn State University said. "It's something that I don't see the Democrats doing."

"It's really important for him to be here because there is a lot more Republicans and Democrats in this area," Nicole Court, a rally attendee said.

Local officials, like US Congressman John Joyce, (R) 13th District, and Pennsylvania State Representative GT Thompson, (R) 15th District, came out to support Trump and give remarks to a packed crowd. They wanted to emphasize how the GOP has swayed the youth into voting for the Republican ticket on Nov. 5th.

"Pennsylvania has to be strong," Thompson said. "And that's not going to happen if Kamala Harris gets another four years. We can't afford that."

"I think that the tide has turned that individuals understand at all age levels," Joyce added.

Once Trump took the stage, he was greeted with a large cheer from the BJC crowd. In his remarks , he mentioned how Harris struggled to secure the southern border and bring Americans closer to "World War III".

"She would get us into World War III guaranteed, because she is too grossly incompetent to do her job," Trump said.

As Election Day draws near, the Republican Nominee's continual stops in the Commonwealth has brought an appreciation from not only local fans, but the Penn State Wrestling team, who encouraged the crowd to vote and "Make America Great Again".

Trump and his team plan to attend Penn State's next home football game on Nov. 2 against the Ohio State Buckeyes. As for the Democratic Party, former President Bill Clinton will visit Johnstown next week.