Amid voter discontent, Trump campaigns in Mississippi, highlighting Republicans’ challenges as Democrats widen the map

Trump backs Hyde-Smith in Mississippi

Trump’s rally in Corinth opened a week of campaigning ahead of the midterm elections. He said he wanted to make sure Hyde-Smith, who faces Colom, was doing well, and told the crowd he could not take a chance on her race.

Colom attended the rally site before Trump arrived, saying he wanted to hear what Trump’s supporters were thinking. Trump later attacked Colom from the stage, calling him a “Marxist radical,” according to the account of the event.

Mississippi is usually a reliably Republican state, but Colom is among Democratic candidates who have expanded the number of competitive House and Senate races. The article links that shift to voter frustration over inflation, the Iran war and other elements of Trump’s second term.

Candidates campaign across battlegrounds

Democratic candidates and their allies were also meeting voters as they sought to end Republicans’ narrow House majority, regain the Senate and win power in state capitals. More than 30 million people had already cast ballots, based on data gathered by The Associated Press from election administrators.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in Wisconsin with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is running against Rep. Tom Tiffany in the governor’s race. Harris described the contest as close and said the stakes were high; Crowley would be Wisconsin’s first Black governor if elected.

Michigan ad draws criticism

In Michigan, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed distanced his campaign from an advertisement by Rebellion PAC. The ad connects high grocery prices to U.S. support for Israel and shows a couple discussing the issue while shopping.

Campaign spokesperson Roxie Richner said the spot was not affiliated with El-Sayed’s campaign. Rep. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary, condemned the ad, arguing that the cost of goods should not be blamed on Israel.

El-Sayed has denounced antisemitism while criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The article says his position has drawn attacks from Republicans and from supporters of Israel within his party.