Trump announces rally in North Carolina to aid Senate pick Ted Budd

In early April, former President Donald Trump will hold a rally in North Carolina in an attempt to boost support for Republican Senate candidate Rep. Ted Budd, who is running in a competitive primary.

The rally, announced on Friday, will feature a number of other Trump-backed 2022 candidates. 

Budd joined the race about a year ago and received the endorsement of the former president last Summer, but his poll numbers remain lackluster in the race to replace retiring Sen. Richard Burr (R). Also running are former Gov. Pat McCrory (R) and former Rep. Mark Walker (R).

Late last year, Trump attempted to persuade Walker to drop his Senate bid and run instead for the House, but Walker defied Trump's wishes and has remained in the race. Both Walker and Budd are currently polling behind McCrory. A Remington Research Group poll in February placed McCrory in the lead with 35%, followed by Budd at 24%, and then Walker at 17%.