Trump Stumps in Deep Red Mississippi

President Donald Trump stood before a crowd in Corinth, Mississippi, on Monday, his voice hoarse as he urged voters to back Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Hyde-Smith faces a tight contest against Democrat Scott Colom, a local prosecutor who is one of the few underdog candidates making waves in states where Republicans hold strong advantages.

Colom was present at the rally site, a rare occurrence where the two opponents’ supporters interacted directly. Trump later described Colom from the stage as a "Marxist radical" and a "fake." Colom told reporters ahead of the president's arrival that he intended to listen to what Trump supporters were concerned about, arguing that they deserve a senator who cares about their daily struggles.

The visit kicks off a week of intensive campaigning for the president. Trump has planned stops in Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa, states he won by wide margins in 2024. Officials announced late Monday that he will also hold a rally in Salina, Kansas, on Saturday, marking his second trip to that state in less than two weeks. This schedule reflects the party's effort to shore up support in districts that were expected to be safe for the GOP.

Democrats are simultaneously increasing their turnout efforts. More than 30 million voters have already cast ballots, according to data compiled by The Associated Press from election administrators. Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in Wisconsin alongside Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is running for governor against Rep. Tom Tiffany. Harris described the race as tight due to the high stakes involved.

In Michigan, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed distanced himself from a political action committee ad that blamed high grocery prices on U.S. support for Israel. Roxie Richner, a spokesperson for El-Sayed, said the spot was not affiliated with the campaign. The ad features a woman stating that dropping bombs on Gaza is costing them money. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, criticized the ad on X, calling it a mistake for the Democrats in Michigan.

Vice President JD Vance returned to Kansas to support Sen. Roger Marshall, who is competing against Democratic nominee Adam Hamilton in a race for the state’s Senate seat. Marshall, who has raised less money than his opponent, told a crowd in north Topeka that Democrats are campaigning as if it were a presidential election. He urged Republicans to match that energy to prevent a shift in congressional power.

In New York, Rep. Mike Lawler manned a McDonald’s drive-thru in a bid to connect with voters in his tight race against Democrat Cait Conley. Lawler’s move mirrors a tactic Trump used two years ago. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats’ super PAC has invested $1.2 million in the Mississippi race, where Hyde-Smith remains the favorite despite the late surge from Colom.