Trump returns to Texas as Republicans defend Senate seats ahead of midterm elections

With one week remaining before Election Day, President Donald Trump is returning to Texas as Republicans work to defend Senate seats in traditionally conservative states.

(NBC)- With one week remaining before Election Day, President Donald Trump is returning to Texas as Republicans work to defend Senate seats in traditionally conservative states.

Trump campaigned in Mississippi on Monday, supporting Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s reelection bid as part of a series of rallies across Republican-leaning states.

“God didn’t make your vocal cords to do a rally every day,” Trump joked about his busy campaign schedule.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report recently shifted Mississippi’s Senate race from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican,” reflecting a change in its assessment of the contest.

“I just got to make sure. I can’t take a chance,” Trump said.

The president is now turning his attention to Texas, where he is supporting Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton against Democrat James Talarico.

Talarico is seeking to become the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Texas in more than three decades.

“We are going to shock the nation, shock the world when we beat the billionaires and take back Texas,” Talarico told supporters.

Paxton, meanwhile, is urging voters to compare the candidates’ records.

“I’m asking you to look at my record, and then I want you to compare it to a guy named James Talarico,” Paxton said.

Despite Texas’ longstanding Republican voting history, some voters say they remain undecided.

In Corpus Christi, Dr. Gregg Silverman, who has voted Republican in previous elections, said he was dissatisfied with both Senate candidates.

Asked whether he knew how he would vote, Silverman responded, “Not exactly. Not yet. No.”

Silverman also said he has noticed some Texans reconsidering their political preferences.

“I see people having questions about it. I certainly do,” he said.

Other voters say they are evaluating individual candidates rather than voting strictly along party lines.

“Not just choosing a party, but really listening to what your concerns are and how they’re addressing them,” said Corpus Christi voter Eva Hinojosa.

With Election Day approaching, candidates are intensifying their efforts to reach undecided voters and encourage supporters to cast their ballots.