President Donald Trump will visit Minnesota for the second time this year, traveling to Rochester on Oct. 4 for a rally a month out from Election Day.

Trump and the Minnesota Republican Party announced the rally on Wednesday.

"For Minnesota Republicans, this is a dream come true," state GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement. "The importance of Minnesota towards protecting the House and Senate this election cycle is evident."

The rally is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Mayo Civic Center, which says it's the largest event facility in southern Minnesota.

Trump held a rally in Duluth in June. That was followed by two visits by Vice President Mike Pence to Duluth and the Twin Cities — an indication of just how focused the Trump administration is on making gains in Minnesota, a state Trump barely lost in 2016. The Nov. 6 ballot also has some of the most competitive congressional races in the country, along with the race for governor and control of the Legislature up for grabs.

The Rochester stop is Trump's first rally in the southern Minnesota city since he started campaigning for president in 2015. In a news release about the rally, Trump's campaign said he will discuss his America First agenda and how Minnesotans need to keep and grow Republican majorities in the House and Senate.

Rochester is in Minnesota's First Congressional District, which Trump won by 15 points in 2016 even as he narrowly lost the state to Hillary Clinton. At the Duluth rally in June, Trump vowed that he would carry Minnesota in 2020. The First District also has a competitive race for Congress, with Democrat Dan Feehan facing Republican Jim Hagedorn. The seat is being vacated by U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, the Democratic candidate for governor.

"Southern Minnesotans will have the firsthand chance to hear the President outline his many accomplishments and positive vision for America's future," Hagedorn said in a statement.

Kelly Smith • 612-673-4141