President Donald Trump and other national and state Republican leaders are making a final push for Mississippi Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, as she faces Democrat Mike Espy in today’s special election run-off.
President Trump held two rallies in Mississippi on Monday evening, first in Tupelo and later in Biloxi. Both Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham were in Biloxi to show their support for Hyde-Smith.
Trump said that electing Hyde-Smith would help him continue his work on immigration, health care, the economy and other issues.
“Together we’ve made unbelievable progress, and we are just getting started, but we need every last Republican vote in the U.S. Senate," he said during his 40-minute speech in Biloxi.
Trump praised Hyde-Smith as a leader and champion for Mississippi. She was appointed to Republican Senator Thad Cochran’s seat in April when he stepped down for health reasons.
“A woman who went to Washington, she’s been there now for a short period of time as your senator, but she’s respected by all," Trump said.
During his speech, Trump also forcefully defended his administration's actions on the border.
"If we didn't show them strength and a strong border - and nobody's shown a stronger border - if we didn't do that, you would have hundreds of thousands of people pouring into our country," Trump said. "We are doing a job, and we will continue to do a job. We're doing what's right."
Gary Keith came to see the president during his stop in Tupelo. A Trump supporter, Keith said he’s also supporting Hyde-Smith.
“I’ve always followed her and I was very pleased when she got appointed to the Senate, and I think she’s done a good job up there," Keith says. "I know she’s supported Donald Trump’s agenda and the Republican agenda, and that’s about all, as a conservative, I can ask for.”
The winner of today’s election will complete the final two years of Senator Cochran’s term.
