ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — President Donald Trump headlined a campaign rally in Dalton on Friday as Georgia’s nationally watched midterm races entered their final stretch.

The event took place at Dalton Municipal Airport, where newly elected U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller — facing a challenge from Democrat Shawn Harris in the 14th congressional district — appeared.

Republican candidates U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (U.S. Senate); Rick Jackson (governor); state Sen. Greg Dolezal (lieutenant governor); Brian Strickland (attorney general); Tim Fleming (secretary of state); John King (incumbent Insurance and Fire commissioner); and Fuller spoke to the thousands in attendance ahead of Trump’s arrival.

Collins and U.S. Reps. Andrew Clyde, Rich McCormick and Austin Scott met the president at the steps of Marine One when he arrived.

Friday marked Trump’s third stop in Georgia this year, after visits to Rome in February and Wheeler High School in Cobb County in July. He last appeared in Dalton on Jan. 4, 2021, ahead of Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoffs.

Late Friday morning, the White House announced former University of Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley flew with President Trump on Air Force One. After his college career, Gurley went on to have a successful NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons.

U.S. Rep. Brian Jack, running for reelection in Georgia’s 3rd district, was also on Air Force One.

Also appearing was Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, also appeared.

Today’s rally came as early voting is underway statewide. Early voting began Tuesday and ends Oct. 30 ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

Collins is challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, whose bid for a second term is seen as crucial for Democrats holding ground in the Senate. Collins voiced strong support for the president during last week’s U.S. Senate debate hosted by Atlanta News First, while Ossoff was sharply critical of Trump and of Collins’ support for the administration.

Gov. Brian Kemp is finishing his second and final term, with Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms hoping to succeed him.

Fuller won a series of special elections and runoffs earlier this year after former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned late last year.

In addition to governor, Georgians will elect a lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general on Nov. 3.

Jackson has repeatedly pledged to become “Trump’s favorite governor,” a line Bottoms attacked during their gubernatorial town hall debate hosted by Atlanta News First last week.

Fuller won a series of special elections and runoffs earlier this year after former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned late last year.

In addition to governor, Georgians will elect a lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general on Nov. 3. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr — all Republicans — launched unsuccessful bids for governor earlier this year.

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