Trump Rally In Wildwood, New Jersey Has Pro-Trumpers Camping Out For Days

Wildwood, the city in Cape May County, New Jersey along the Jersey Shore, is about to be inundated by thousands of pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters as president Donald Trump arrives for a re-election campaign event at the Wildwoods Convention Center Tuesday evening.

New Jersey has long been a Democratic stronghold, so Trump risks loud local backlash at his showing up in a Democratic front-yard. In 2016, New Jersey was easily won by Hillary Clinton with 55.5 percent of the vote to Trump's 41.35 percent. New Jersey's 14 electoral votes went to Clinton and her vice-presidential running mate Tim Kaine.

This will be Trump's first visit to Wildwood, a popular summer resort destination along the Jersey Shore. With Trump at the rally will be Congressman Jeff Van Drew, R-NJ, who recently renounced being a Democrat to turn Republican.

Local media such as the Press of Atlantic City report diehard Trump supporters began camping-out near the convention center as early as Sunday afternoon. City officials expect up to 10,000 Trump supporters to pack the 7,500 seat convention center with more standing on the outside. An overflow area outside the convention center will be available for those present to watch Trump and other speakers. Tickets allowing entry into the convention center are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Local media say Trumpers began arriving outside the convention center Sunday afternoon with sleeping bags and chairs. Some 100 people were gathered late Monday morning about a block away from the center. Wildwood mayor Pete Byron said Trump's visit Tuesday led the city to heighten its security measures.

“We have a quarter million people on every given weekend,” said Byron to News 12 New Jersey. “We have a lot of events over the course of the summer where we bring in 30,000 people, so this is not unique. The difference is when having the president here, it brings a different dynamic security-wise.”

The media says Trump supporters have been arriving in a steady stream. Paul Chiolo, owner of the Oceanic Hotel, said that after 32 years in the city, he couldn't recall an event in the offseason that brought as many people as the Trump rally.

"We didn't open officially until yesterday but it (the inflow of people) hasn't really stopped since," Chiolo told the Press of Atalantic City. "And even this morning -- we've been here since about 6:30 (a.m.) -- and as I'm watching the time go by it's more and more people ... are coming in."

There is concern among locals Trumpers and anti-Trumpers, whose numbers are also increasing, might be involved in doing more than shouting insults at each other. Hence, another reason for the tougher security set in place.