Former US President Donald Trump will campaign for Republican Glenn Youngkin in the closely contested Virginia governor's race at a televised event on Monday.
Mr. Trump will not be present, and the call-in will take place the day before an election in which Mr. Youngkin appears to be in a tight race with Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
Throughout the campaign, Mr. McAuliffe has attempted to link his opponent to the previous president, who lost the state by ten points in 2020.
Mr. Youngkin has danced a careful balancing act throughout the campaign, seeking to win over Mr. Trump's faithful base, which he needs to win the election, while avoiding more radical statements that would alienate more moderate voters, notably in suburban Washington and Richmond.
Moderates like these turned against Trump and helped President Joe Biden win.
Mr. McAuliffe's campaign promptly produced ads showing Mr. Trump's praise for the Republican the last time he entered the race, calling into a rally organized by his conservative backers, even though Mr. Youngkin had not attended the event.
On Wednesday night, Mr. Trump made a cryptic comment, implying that he might make a last-minute first appearance in Virginia before the election. At the same time, state officials insisted nothing was planned.
After fans temporarily disrupted a Biden event for Mr. McAuliffe, he wrote, "Thank you, Arlington, see you soon!"
Later, Mr. Trump's spokesperson, Taylor Budowich, said the former president was looking forward to returning to Virginia. Details will be given as soon as possible," yet no event has been scheduled.
Mr. Youngkin has mostly campaigned alone, but his opponent has surrounded himself with the biggest names in Democratic politics, including Vice President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, and celebrities like artist Dave Matthews.
Democrats promptly chastised Mr. Youngkin for his engagement with Mr. Trump.
Susan Swecker, the Democratic Party of Virginia's chairwoman, called on Mr. Youngkin to tell voters right away if he wants to attend the event, claiming that the two "can't stay away from each other."
"Make no mistake about it, Donald Trump is on the ballot," she remarked. "He is on the ballot, even though his name isn't on it."
"Virginians, let's come together to REJECT Trump and send a powerful message to the nation: we are not going back," Mr. McAuliffe tweeted in response to the news.
