Trump Rallies Georgia Republicans as Texas Senate Race Intensifies

Republican leaders intensified their campaigns ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, with President Donald Trump scheduled to address supporters in Perry, Georgia, on Saturday, October 24, while Texas Republicans warned that their Senate contest could determine the balance of power in Washington. Separately, the Justice Department plans to deploy election monitors to six Georgia counties with Democratic majorities, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Trump's Georgia appearance was organized to rally support for Republican candidates seeking congressional and state offices. The developments reflect competing campaign efforts and renewed attention to election administration as both parties prepare for the midterms.

According to WGXA, crowds began gathering early Saturday at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia. Organizers moved the event from its original planned location in Macon, with ticket holders scheduled to enter at 4 p.m. and preliminary speakers expected to begin at approximately 5 p.m., ahead of Trump's anticipated remarks around 7 p.m.

Among the Georgia Republicans expected at the rally were Representative Mike Collins, who is challenging incumbent US Senator Jon Ossoff, and gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson. Jackson is competing against Keisha Lance-Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, for the state's governorship.

In Texas, Senator Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton urged conservative voters to support Republicans, presenting the Senate contest as critical to the party's ability to maintain control of Congress. Cruz argued that the election posed unusually high stakes for both Texas and the country.

"I have never been more concerned. I've never been more frightened by an election in Texas and an election nationally," Cruz said.

He characterized the political divide in increasingly stark terms while addressing the gathering.

"This is no longer a battle between left and right. This is not a battle between liberal and conservative. This is a battle between sane and crazy," Cruz said.

Representative Darrell Issa, a California Republican, also argued that the outcome of the Texas race could affect Trump's ability to maintain a Republican congressional majority and advance conservative priorities.

"doesn't get Ken Paxton, he probably won't have a Republican majority," Issa said, referring to Trump and the consequences of the Texas contest.

Issa also warned that a change in Senate control could complicate judicial appointments and the administration's legislative agenda.

"He won't be able to have conservative judges. He won't be able to protect Texas from the likes of Schumer and for that matter, Elizabeth Warren," Issa said.

Paxton attacked his Democratic opponent, Texas State Representative James Talarico, comparing his political positions with those of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

"No matter how many commercials he runs lying about his record, James Talarico is a Democratic Socialist, just like AOC, and just like the New York mayor Mamdani," Paxton said.

Paxton further argued that Talarico had expressed support for Mamdani as a model for future politicians, questioning whether the Texas candidate represented the state's interests.

"As a matter of fact, in his own words, Talarico called Mamdani a template for future American politicians. This is a guy from Texas, supposedly. Darrell, California already has two senators.

They don't need a third. You all agree this guy is that," Paxton said.

Cruz warned that Democrats taking control of the Senate under Chuck Schumer could stall legislation and confirmations while increasing congressional investigations into the administration. He described the prospect of sustained oversight as a major concern for Republicans.

"circus of nonstop subpoenas and investigations" was how Cruz characterized the investigations he expected under Democratic Senate leadership.

Paxton likewise portrayed the Texas race as a decisive contest for the national Republican agenda.

"If we lose Texas, we lose America. That's what we're fighting for," Paxton said.

He also criticized Talarico's economic positions, arguing that voters should reject a candidate he associated with dismantling capitalism.

"a Marxist, a guy that says we need to dismantle capitalism as our U.S. senator from Texas." Paxton said, describing the outcome he warned voters against.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Justice Department would send election monitors to six Georgia counties with Democratic majorities. The available report text does not clearly establish the counties' names, the monitoring schedule, or the department's full explanation for the deployment.