President Donald Trump is headed to Mississippi Monday to campaign for GOP Senate candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith in a last-ditch rallying effort ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election against her Democratic challenger Mike Espy.
“I will be in Gulfport and Tupelo, Mississippi, on Monday night doing two Rallies for Senator Hyde-Smith, who has a very important Election on Tuesday,” Trump tweeted Sunday.
“She is an outstanding person who is strong on the Border, Crime, Military, our great Vets, Healthcare & the 2nd A [Amendment]. Needed in D.C.,” the president added.
Trump’s candidate might need the extra boost as Hyde-Smith has found herself in a close race in the usually red state of Mississippi.
In November’s only public poll for the runoff election surveyed between Nov. 19 and 24, Hyde-Smith leads Espy by 10 percentage points, 54-44, in a state Trump won by over 17 percentage points. (RELATED: RRH Elections Poll Puts Cindy Hyde-Smith Ahead By 10 Points)
Neither candidate secured 50 percent of the vote on the Nov. 6 midterm elections.
Mississippi, Vote for @cindyhydesmith on Tuesday. Respected by all. We need her in Washington!. Thanks!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 25, 2018
On top of Trump’s two rallies, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) reportedly put aside $1 million for TV ads supporting Hyde-Smith in the final weeks leading up to Tuesday’s election, much of which came from the Republican National Committee (RNC).
“You thought you were done on November 6th. You’re not done if you live in Mississippi, get out and vote for @cindyhydesmith.” –@LaraLeaTrump pic.twitter.com/Rs2YmuZxHr
— GOP (@GOP) November 26, 2018
Hyde-Smith is facing intense scrutiny for several different controversies in recent weeks, including her comments on attending a public lynching, for being photographed wearing a replica of a Confederate solider hat and for attending a white private school that was founded after court-ordered school desegregation of public schools, according to Fox News.
Hyde-Smith later apologized for her comments, saying there was “no ill-will” intended by her remarks and that she has a solid track record of working with all Mississippians, regardless of skin color.
Espy’s ethics were similarly questioned a few times along the campaign trail. The former U.S. agriculture secretary under President Bill Clinton reportedly worked for a company that paid $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit involving bribery of officials.
Espy also reportedly collected nearly $750,000 after lobbying on behalf of an African despot on trial for crimes against humanity under the International Criminal Court, according to Fox News.
Trump plans to hit Tupelo in the afternoon, and Gulfport in the evening.
Tuesday’s runoff election will conclude the 2018 senatorial midterms.
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