Trump's infrastructure unveil hinted at Georgia's new battleground status

President Donald Trump Wednesday paid his second visit to Georgia since March and he had the state’s increasingly competitive political campaigns on his mind.

The president used a UPS distribution hub in Hapeville as a backdrop to announce a rollback of federal environmental regulations he says will help speed up major infrastructure projects. But he also took care to praise GOP rivals for a Georgia Senate seat, both on hand for the president’s quick fly-in. And Trump otherwise signaled he is well aware that recent polls show state races could be tight up and down the ballot in November after years of GOP dominance.

“Especially, I appreciate the state called Georgia,” he said. “It’s a special place. It’s a great place, and it’s an honor to be with you. It’s an honor. This is where I’m announcing — this is good for the whole country, not only Georgia, this is for the whole country — but I’m announcing it in Georgia because we have some great things planned for you. You are special people.”

The visit came less than four months before the election that will determine whether Trump serves a second term in office as well as who wins both of Georgia’s senate seats. No campaign money was spent on the trip, the White House said, but the president made several references to the upcoming election during his 41-minute remarks.

Read more: https://georgiarecorder.com/2020/07/16/trumps-infrastructure-unveil-hinted-at-georgias-new-battleground-status/