Trump makes last-minute push to keep Texas in Republican hands with third trip

President Donald Trump embarked on a last-minute campaign push in Texas to prevent Democrats from securing their first statewide victory in over three decades during next week's midterm elections. Trump visited Corpus Christi and will later travel to Lubbock to bolster Republican Ken Paxton's competitive U.S. Senate campaign against Democrat James Talarico. Meanwhile, Democrat Gina Hinojosa is also contesting against GOP Governor Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term.

Trump's strategy focuses on cultural issues to portray Talarico as too liberal for Texas. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined Trump in Corpus Christi, highlighting the arrangement with Venezuela to process more of its crude oil in Texas refineries. Trump emphasized the "greatest oil victory in history" and touted the potential benefits for Texas.

The president's frenzied tour extends beyond Texas, covering Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, and Iowa. His strategy relies on the loyalty of his base, which is crucial given the unexpectedly competitive Democratic candidates.

The campaign is costly, with over $563 million spent on advertising between primary and general elections, according to AdImpact. Major figures like Elon Musk, a billionaire and Tesla and SpaceX's co-founder, have made significant contributions to Republican efforts, with Musk reportedly spending at least $158 million to defeat Talarico. Musk has been vocal in his opposition, labeling Talarico a "lunatic left" candidate.

Hinojosa has sued for access to communications between Musk and Governor Abbott, arguing that their relationship demonstrates the cozy ties between the ultra-wealthy and Abbott. A recent ruling allows Hinojosa to review over 1,000 unredacted pages by Thursday. At the same time, the next generation of Republican leaders, such as Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, are also gearing up for their own 2028 challenges, including a potential race against Alaska's incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, who Republicans fear could siphon votes from the incumbent.