President Trump brought Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., onto the stage at a rally in her home state on Wednesday to ask for her support when it comes time to vote on tax reform.
“Good woman,” Trump told the audience at the Andeavor Corporation’s refinery in Mandan. “I think we’ll have your support,” Trump said, turning to Heitkamp. “I hope we’ll have your support.”
Heitkamp is one of the Democratic senators in a red state up for re-election in 2018 that Trump hopes to pressure into voting with Republicans on tax reform. She’s also someone Republicans are targeting to replace with a Republican in the 2018 midterm elections.
Heitkamp had just flown with Trump for his tax speech on Air Force One. But while she joined him for the trip, she has stopped short of saying that she planned to vote for his eventual tax legislation, and has yet to express a favorable opinion of it. To date, Trump and Republicans only have a very general plan for reducing tax rates, and no legislation or detailed plan.
Later, during a passage in his speech mentioning that a North Dakota Democrat voted for Ronald Reagan’s tax reform, Trump again name-checked Heitkamp.
“You listening, Heidi?” the president asked. “Yes, Heidi’s listening. Yes, she heard that. Thank you, Heidi.”
“We’re not going to put her on the spot,” Trump joked. “I’m not putting her on the spot.”
