On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, Vice President JD Vance arrived at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport for a rally hosted by the Trump 47 Committee, drawing a standing‑room‑only crowd of East Texas voters. The event matters to Tyler residents because Vance announced that the Trump administration reached an agreement with Delek Refinery to expand the plant under the Defense Production Act, adding “millions of gallons of commercial‑grade and military‑spec fuel” to the facility’s output. The expansion is projected to create hundreds of well‑paying jobs, bolstering the local economy and supporting families who might otherwise have to leave the community.
According to KLTV, Vance spoke shortly after Air Force Two landed, emphasizing that the added fuel production will “further bolster the local economy, support our military, and improve domestic fuel affordability.” Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian praised the move, saying, “Affordable, reliable energy is the foundation of economic prosperity” and applauding President Trump and Vice President Vance for clearing the runway for oil production.
The rally also served as a platform for Republican candidates. Vance lauded Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the U.S. Senate, calling him “a man with a backbone” and warning that Democratic nominee James Talarico would “never fight for Texas.” He urged voters to turn out in the upcoming Nov. 3 midterms, noting that early voting in Texas begins in less than a week.
Not all attendees were supportive. KLTV reported a counter‑rally outside the airport led by Hector Garza, a Democratic candidate for Texas House District 5. Protesters, including Susana Aparicio and Elizabeth Olson, voiced frustration over rising energy costs, immigration concerns, and what they described as a departure from “America first” policies. Olson, who was asked to leave for wearing a shirt that read, “Imagine hating immigrants more than pedophiles,” said she felt her First Amendment rights were restricted.
Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions were in place within a 5‑nautical‑mile radius of the airport from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., allowing only law‑enforcement and emergency responders to operate. The rally marked the first visit by a sitting vice president to Tyler since Dan Quayle’s appearance at the Texas Rose Festival parade in 1992.
TylerPaper noted that the event began with security checks at 8 a.m., featured remarks from local officials such as U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, and concluded with Vance’s closing blessing, “God bless you Texas.”
What’s next: Early voting opens statewide in less than a week, and Tyler residents are encouraged to cast ballots before the Nov. 3 midterm election, where races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and state offices will be decided.
Sources: kltv.com, kltv.com, kltv.com, tylerpaper.com
