Donald Trump’s Loyal Volunteers: Superfans and Workhorses

Donald Trump’s Loyal Volunteers: Superfans and Workhorses
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, holds up a sign after autographing it during a rally at the Sacramento International Jet Center, Wednesday, June 1, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Dale “Boomer” Ranney can get in Donald Trump’s face like almost no one else.

She has nudged her way to the front of 21 of his rallies, passing up book after book, photo after photo for him to autograph, finding success some 66 times. He smiles at her in recognition now.

When she made a trip to Trump Tower in New York to be near him for his home state primary in April, he spotted her and told his security guards to let her into his victory party there later that day. A photo snapped that morning shows Ranney and her candidate grinning and giving the thumbs up. He’s in his suit and red tie. She’s in her sequined American flag vest and matching boots.

Ranney is not only a Trump superfan, she’s also a forceful advocate and volunteer on behalf of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Since February, she has guided an ad hoc team of 50 volunteers who have made some 75,000 telephone calls to voters to preach the gospel of Trump.

Ranney shows items that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has autographed, at her home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (AP Photo/Julie Bykowicz)
Ranney shows items that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has autographed, at her home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. AP Photo/Julie Bykowicz