Madison Square Garden was filled to the brim on Oct. 27 as former President Donald Trump held a rally in the venue. In the heart of New York City, a well-known Democratic stronghold, there was a surprising number of supporters present at the rally.

The venue’s 19,500-person accommodations were filled during the event, with an additional 20,000 supporters gathered outside of the venue to support the former president. The large crowds prompted a security presence, road closures and restricted access to the nearby Penn Station.

The tickets to the event were free and provided on a first-come, first-served basis, leading to a filled venue with many left out to watch from the streets or nearby bars.

Though it is unclear whether the attendees were primarily New York residents or visitors from out-of-state, the unexpected numbers present showcased the underrepresented support Trump holds in the New York metropolitan area.

With the approach of Election Day, many would anticipate the two candidates to rally in battleground and swing states; however, both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have rallied in locations dominated by the opposing party. Harris rallied in Texas, a primarily Republican state, on Oct 25.

Regardless, this highlights an important strategy both campaigns are using to gain national attention. “He’s not just going to be speaking to the attendees inside Madison Square Garden,” former U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin said. “There will be people tuning in from battleground states all across the country.”

Notwithstanding this observation, the rally amassed an unanticipated amount of support and attention despite being held in a blue state. With high attendance for Trump’s rally, it can be expected that his supporters in New York will remain strong despite being surrounded by a Democratic state.