Donald Trump to return to Tennessee to campaign for Marsha Blackburn

President Donald Trump is set to return to Tennessee to hold a fundraiser and campaign-style rally in the eastern part of the state in support of Republican Marsha Blackburn's bid for U.S. Senate.

An invitation says the fundraiser event will be next Monday in Johnson City, according to the Associated Press. 

Tickets cost $10,000 per couple, including a photo with Trump; or $25,000 a couple, including the photo and a roundtable with Trump. Contributions will fuel Blackburn's joint fundraising committee.

On Monday afternoon, Trump's campaign confirmed that he will host a rally at Freedom Hall in Johnson City. At the rally, which will begin at 7 p.m. eastern, the president is expected to discuss the economy and the "importance of protecting and expanding" the GOP majority in the House and Senate.

“With just 44 days from today until the midterm elections, President Trump looks forward to sharing the great news about the booming economy that’s delivered new jobs and bigger paychecks to Tennessee families," said Michael Glassner, chief operating officer of the president's re-election committee. "The president will also remind Tennesseans of the critical importance to get out and vote for Marsha Blackburn for the U.S. Senate."

The congressman's contest against former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen is drawing national interest, including from the White House. 

Vice President Mike Pence has attended two Tennessee fundraisers and two public events with Blackburn, including appearances last week in Knoxville. 

Trump campaigning for Blackburn in Tennessee

Trump’s return to Tennessee will be his second in support of Blackburn’s campaign and his fourth overall since taking office in January 2017.

In May, Trump headlined a campaign-style rally in Nashville for Blackburn, where he called Bredesen a “total tool” for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Trump was also in Music City in January, making an appearance at the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau.

In March 2017, the president held a campaign-style rally in Nashville.

Trump’s three trips to Nashville since March 2017 have cost the city $116,000 to cover officers’ regular shift time as well as overtime, according to figures provided by Metro police.

Trump's effort to drum up support for Blackburn in East Tennessee is a signal of how the region could play a key role in deciding the election. Polls have indicated the race between Blackburn and Bredesen to be tight. 

U.S. SENATE RACE:Bredesen holds narrow lead over Blackburn in Tennessee US Senate race

TENNESSEE ELECTIONS:How Tuesday's debate between Blackburn, Bredesen could shape tight US Senate race

BLACKBURN-BREDESEN DEBATE:How to watch Tuesday's debate between Tennessee's U.S. Senate candidates

Trump's visit will come just days after Blackburn and Bredesen square off in the first of two debates. The two will face off Tuesday night for an hour long debate at Cumberland University sponsored by the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee, NewsChannel 5 and Nashville Public Television.

The president's upcoming return to Tennessee also comes the same day the Chattanooga Times Free Press was planning to hold a third debate. Although that debate did not come to fruition, Bredesen plans on being in Chattanooga for an ideas forum. 

More:Tennessee US Senate race down to 2 debates after no deal reached on Chattanooga event

More:At Rhodes, Bredesen presents himself as calm, reasonable, willing to work with others

He used a similar tactic earlier this month when he hosted hundreds of people at Rhodes College in Memphis on the same day another debate was being planned. Blackburn said she was unable to attend the Memphis event because it did not fit her schedule. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.