US President Donald Trump is heading to Texas on Tuesday to campaign for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton as Democrats mount a strong challenge in the state’s closely watched midterm election.
According to The Guardian, Trump is scheduled to hold two campaign rallies, beginning in Corpus Christi before travelling to Lubbock for an evening event.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to accompany the president.
During the visit, Trump and Rubio are reportedly planning to showcase a tanker carrying Venezuelan crude oil destined for Texas refineries.
The appearance is expected to highlight Trump’s oil agreement with Venezuela’s new US-backed government following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
However, the visit comes as rising oil prices, partly driven by the war in Iran, have increased economic pressure on American households and created challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
The Texas Senate race has become increasingly competitive, with recent polling suggesting a close contest between Paxton and Democratic candidate James Talarico.
Paxton has faced several controversies, while Talarico is seeking to deliver a rare Democratic victory in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate in decades.
