With 17 days to go, Trump takes his midterm push to Northern Kentucky

President Donald Trump brought his midterm campaign to Highland Heights in Northern Kentucky on Saturday, 17 days before the Nov. 3 general election.

The free, ticketed rally was announced earlier in the week, with Trump scheduled to speak at 2 p.m., according to the Kentucky Lantern. Trump has been touring Republican-leaning states to boost GOP candidates ahead of the midterms, the Lantern reported.

The races on the ballot

Kentucky's open U.S. Senate seat pits Republican Rep. Andy Barr against Democrat Charles Booker, a former state representative. Barr told the Lantern the White House had offered him a speaking slot at the event.

Closer to the rally site, the 6th Congressional District race between Republican Ralph Alvarado and Democrat Zach Dembo has drawn attention after several political forecasters recently tightened their ratings, the Lantern reported.

Saturday's visit was Trump's first trip to Kentucky since March, when he rallied in Hebron for Ed Gallrein. Gallrein went on to defeat Rep. Thomas Massie in the May Republican primary.

Key dates for Kentucky voters

The State Board of Elections lists these deadlines for the general election:

• Mail-in absentee ballot requests close Oct. 20.
• Excused in-person absentee voting runs Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 26-28.
• No-excuse in-person early voting runs Oct. 29-31.
• The Postal Service recommends mailing completed ballots by Oct. 27.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.