Biden returns to North Carolina, visiting the city where Trump was forced to cancel

President Joe Biden plans to return to North Carolina on Thursday, this time visiting the city where former President Donald Trump, his 2024 campaign rival, was forced to cancel an event earlier this month due to weather.

White House officials told McClatchy that Biden’s trip to Wilmington will highlight his Investing in America agenda and how it is “rebuilding infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs” in the city and across the United States.

Since launching their 2024 reelection campaign, Biden and his surrogates have become frequent presences in North Carolina, which is considered a swing state.

Former President Barack Obama is the only Democratic presidential candidate since 1976 to win North Carolina. That was in 2008, and Obama defeated former Sen. John McCain with fewer than 14,000 votes.

In 2020, Trump won North Carolina by just 1.3%.

The Biden campaign made plans a year ago to target North Carolina.

Trump has shown less of a presence in the state this election cycle, with his first visit to the state planned for April 20. He planned to travel from a fundraiser in Charlotte, which he did attend, to a rally in Wilmington, but called over the loudspeaker to awaiting fans that he needed to cancel for their safety as strong thunderstorms were approaching the outdoor event.

Trump has not yet rescheduled.

The White House has not yet released times and exact locations for Biden’s visit on Thursday, which is typical for a presidential visit.

He last visited North Carolina with Vice President Kamala Harris on March 26 during a stop in Raleigh.