President Donald Trump held a campaign rally Monday evening at Crossroads Arena in Corinth, Mississippi, to support Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in her reelection bid.

The event came with just over a week remaining before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Hyde-Smith faces Democrat Scott Colom in a race that has drawn unexpected national attention in the reliably Republican state.

Trump told supporters he was in Mississippi to ensure Hyde-Smith's victory. "I’m here because Cindy’s doing great, but I just got to make sure. I can’t take a chance," he said, noting his hoarse voice from extensive campaigning.

The president criticized Colom, a district attorney, as aligned with the radical left and accused him of reducing sentences for serious offenders. He urged voters to treat the race as if he himself were on the ballot and to reject any notion of sending a "communist" to the Senate.

Hyde-Smith appeared briefly at the event and praised Trump as the best president in her lifetime. The crowd, estimated in the thousands inside the arena with additional supporters viewing on jumbotrons outside, chanted "USA" and showed strong enthusiasm for the president.

Mississippi has not elected a Democratic senator since 1982. Trump won the state by nearly 23 points in 2024 and carried the host county by 68 points. Still, Democratic support and spending have made the contest more competitive than expected.

Colom visited the area outside the rally to speak with voters in line. His campaign has highlighted issues like inflation and highlighted Hyde-Smith's comments on protein choices amid rising beef prices.

Trump's Mississippi stop launches a final week of rallies in states he won comfortably in 2024, including Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa. The broader midterm landscape shows Republicans defending majorities amid voter concerns over economic conditions and foreign policy.

Early voting options remain limited in Mississippi, with absentee ballots available through Oct. 31 at circuit clerk offices. Election Day voting occurs Nov. 3.