Cult of personality

President Donald Trump is set to headline a midterm rally Saturday at F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, a venue that holds up to 6,000 people. City streets began closing Friday ahead of the event, and law enforcement has warned attendees to expect delays and road closures downtown.

The rally comes as early voting opens the following Wednesday, with Republicans hoping Trump's appearance energizes turnout for the midterms and the state's governor's race. Local GOP figures, including the Montgomery County Young Republicans, say they are counting on the visit to boost enthusiasm. But reaction in the community is mixed: some residents and Democratic organizers point to recent local shifts, including a flipped county commission and new Democratic school board members, as signs of changing political sentiment in the county. Supporters and critics alike are expected to turn out as the rally underscores the stakes both parties see in Tennessee's upcoming elections.