Baby Trump visits Wilmington, groups urge women to vote

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — From the U.K. to the Port City, there was a big turn out at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater for Pearls to the Polls with a special guest.

The infamous Baby Trump Blimp made a debut in Wilmington.

“I think it’s empowering for our community to know that they have a voice,” said Deb Shoemaker, who is part of Women Organizing for Wilmington.

Shoemaker and WOW are rallying to push everyone out to the polls this season, most importantly women and minority groups. They aimed at drawing attention to political issues with the appearance of Baby Trump.

“It’s a symbol, I think, of folks resisting some of his worst behaviors and trying to poke a little bit of fun at it at the same
time. It shouldn’t all be dark or light. There’s some in between,” said Steve Chisholm, who is the Co-Founder of Turn N.C. Blue.

Chisholm’s group sponsored buses to bring people to the polls Saturday. Chisholm says the event is about raising awareness of certain issues, while shedding light on a bigger picture.

“We actually are trying to support not just women, but also communities of color, students, all sorts of demographics that we believe are not getting truly supported by the North Carolina GOP,” said Chisholm.

Both county parties denounced the balloon being brought and used in an effort to attract voters.

“We respect the right for Americans to assemble protest and speak freely. However, Democrats and their followers only seem to respect the office of the President when one of their own is in office,” said New Hanover County GOP Communications chairman Pete Divoky. “Frankly, ‘Baby Trump balloon’ is a tame exaple compared to most of their protest displays.”

“We believe that the Baby Trump Balloon is a distraction from the issues we care about,” said New Hanover County Democrat Party chair Richard Poole. “The New Hanover County Democratic Party is laser focused on electing candidates who will work on the things that New Hanover County voters care about.”

According to the state, New Hanover County is a near split with registered Republican and Democratic voters. There are more than 88,000 female voters.

It is this group’s mission to see all of those women cast a ballot.

“‘Pearls to the Polls’ is to promote women’s power at the polls, and their power and their voice in voting. Especially in this election,” said Shoemaker.

Shoemaker says they want to do their part in making this community even better. The early voting period is happening right now, and general election day is on November 6th.