Trump rails against Democrats in rallying cry for Kentucky governor ahead of tight race

President Trump delivers remarks at his rally in Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday night. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

President Trump railed against Democrats' impeachment inquiry and made a last-ditch appeal at his campaign rally in Lexington, Kentucky, Monday night for voters to back Gov. Matt Bevin, who faces a tough re-election fight.

Why it matters: Trump held the rally on the eve of the gubernatorial election, which the New York Times notes the president is "casting as a test of his strength" as he stares down the prospect of a possible impeachment in Washington, D.C.

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Trump on Bevin: “He’s such a pain: when he needs something for KY like money, like aid ... I say Matt do I have to do it, please, please. But isn’t that what you really want in a governor? He’s such a pain in the ass but that’s what you want.” pic.twitter.com/61fbG3lMUa

— Alex Acquisto (@AcquistoA) November 5, 2019

If you win, they are going to make it like, ho hum. And if you lose, they are going to say Trump suffered the greatest defeat in the history of the world. You can't let that happen to me!"

The big picture: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) appeared on stage at the rally, demanding news outlets identify the whistleblower who triggered the impeachment inquiry into Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.

• During the rally, Trump also hailed the strong economy and last month's killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during a U.S.-led operation in Syria.

"While we are creating jobs and killing terrorists, the radical Democrats are going insane."

Go deeper: Trump wants to interview whistleblower despite federal protections