Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

Trump visits Philly Tuesday to discuss small business jobs at electrical contractor convention

President Trump visits Philadelphia Tuesday to speak about workplace development and small business growth to the National Electrical Contractors Association, which is expected to bring about 8,000 visitors to the city for its annual convention.

President Trump appears at a rally August 2, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena  in Wilkes Barre.
President Trump appears at a rally August 2, 2018, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer

President Trump will visit Philadelphia on Tuesday to deliver a speech to electrical contractors gathered at the Convention Center, according to a White House official.

Trump will speak to the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), which is expected to draw about 8,000 visitors to the city for a convention that starts Friday and concludes Tuesday.

"The president will highlight the Trump administration's commitment to workforce development and small business growth during his remarks," said the White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The trade group in February tweeted a video criticism of Trump, saying tariffs he imposed would drive up costs for solar panels, discouraging building owners from installing them.

"Unfortunately, the president decided to impose a 30 percent tariff on imported solar cells and panels," NECA government affairs manager James Farrell said in the video. "It's only going to hurt the already growing industry and going to hurt construction."

The group, which also met with Trump in Florida in July to discuss job development, last year tweeted praise for the president when he approved the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Trump, known for speeches that roam across a range of topics, is likely to delve into the midterm elections during Tuesday's speech.

Trump encouraged U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican from Hazleton, to challenge U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's bid for a third term. Casey, a Democrat from Scranton, holds 17-point lead on Barletta among likely voters, according to a Franklin and Marshall College Poll released Thursday.

The National Electrical Contractors Association endorsed Barletta last month. The trade group's political action committee has given Barletta's campaigns for the House and Senate $29,000 since 2012, according to federal campaign finance records. It gave Casey a lone donation of $2,500 in 2010.

Trump visited Wilkes-Barre in August to tout Barletta's campaign in a rally that drew thousands.

In Wilkes-Barre, Trump also endorsed former State Sen. Scott Wagner, a York County Republican challenging Gov. Wolf's bid for a second term. Wolf, a Democrat from York County, holds a 22-point lead on Wagner among likely voters, according to the F&M Poll.

Trump will not be the only draw for the final day of the trade group's convention. Jon Dorenbos, the former long snapper for the Eagles and now a practicing magician, will deliver a speech Tuesday afternoon. The rock group Foreigner is scheduled to perform a concert later that evening.