President Donald Trump made a campaign stop in Mississippi on Monday as part of a final push ahead of next week’s midterm elections, spotlighting a competitive Senate race in a traditionally Republican stronghold. Trump joined incumbent Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith at a rally in Corinth, seeking to energize the Republican base amid growing Democratic efforts to challenge GOP seats in deep-red states.
Hyde-Smith, who is running for her second full term, has been considered the favorite in Mississippi—a state Trump carried by nearly 20 percentage points in 2024. However, Democrat Scott Colom has gained traction in recent months, narrowing the gap in what was once viewed as a safely Republican contest. Colom, a former local prosecutor, has drawn attention with an advertising campaign critiquing Hyde-Smith’s handling of inflation-related issues, including her remarks on rising beef prices amid tariff policies and global supply concerns.
Colom announced plans to attend Trump’s rally, aiming to engage directly with the president’s supporters. He said he wanted to hear from voters about what matters to them and to make the case that Hyde-Smith would not address their economic difficulties. It was unclear whether Trump’s campaign would admit Colom inside the event venue, the Crossroads Arena.
Democrats see Mississippi’s Senate seat as a potential pickup opportunity in a cycle where dissatisfaction over inflation, foreign policy, and domestic issues has expanded battleground areas beyond traditional swing states. This election marks the first time in decades that the state has featured a highly competitive Senate race, with Democrats not having held the seat in over 40 years.
Several Democratic figures, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, have campaigned in Mississippi to boost turnout, particularly among Black voters. The Senate Democrats’ top super PAC recently announced a $1.2 million advertising effort in the state. Political forecasters have shifted the race from “solid Republican” to “likely Republican,” signaling increasing uncertainty about the final outcome.
Across the country, Democrats are pursuing bids to reclaim control of the House and potentially the Senate. House Democrats have intensified spending in traditionally conservative districts, seeking to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign strategy has focused on rallying support in states and districts he won decisively in 2024, avoiding more competitive swing areas where his popularity remains low.
The Mississippi rally underscored the broader dynamics of the midterms: Republicans striving to defend a narrow congressional majority and maintain control of state governments, while Democrats aim to capitalize on shifts in voter sentiment. With less than a week remaining before Election Day, the races in places like Mississippi serve as a bellwether for the national political landscape.