Trump Hosts Telerallies as Cruz Warns of Texas Turnout Gap

UPDATE - follow-up to 2026 elections live updates: Candidates push to mobilize voters: President Donald Trump is holding a series of telerallies to support Republican candidates across the United States. Trump announced on TruthSocial that he is hosting events for Ohio candidates including gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, Senator Jon Husted, Representative Mike Carey, and congressional candidates Eric Conroy and Derek Merrin. Trump stated that these candidates love the people of Ohio. This event is the second of six telerallies hosted by Trump nationwide. Trump also held a telerally for Pennsylvania candidates, supporting gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity and Representatives Ryan Mackenzie, Rob Bresnahan, Scott Perry, and Lloyd Smucker. All five Pennsylvania candidates hold his endorsement in the first of six telerallies scheduled for that day.

Turnout Concerns in Texas

Senator Ted Cruz issued a warning on his Verdict podcast that Republicans risk losing both chambers of Congress and facing a defeat in Texas. Cruz pointed to early voting data showing massive early turnout among Democratic voters and warned that the Republican ticket is in jeopardy. Cruz stated that early votes cast so far would lead to a massive Republican loss. Cruz urged conservative, independent, and libertarian voters to go to the polls immediately to stop a Democratic sweep. Meanwhile, Texas Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken Paxton is rallying supporters in Houston on his "Come and Take It" bus tour. Democratic nominee James Talarico is in Dallas for a block walk and get-out-the-vote drive.

Campaign Disputes and Rallies

In Michigan, Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's campaign asked former primary rival Representative Haley Stevens to stay away from remaining campaign events. This follows a public dispute after Stevens called on El-Sayed to condemn an outside ad linking military aid to Israel to grocery prices and to remove a campaign ad featuring Tucker Carlson. El-Sayed accused Stevens of relitigating their primary battle. In Virginia, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Democratic nominee Elaine Luria in Virginia Beach for a final-weekend rally marking the end of early in-person voting in the state. In Texas, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa is airing a 30-second ad titled "No Te Dejes" during a boxing match between Canelo Álvarez and Christian Mbilli to target Hispanic male voters. Polls show nearly 60 percent of Hispanic voters backing Talarico in the Senate race.

Context

Midterm elections happen midway through a president's four-year term to elect members of the United States Congress. Telerallies allow political figures to address large groups of remote supporters over the phone or online without traveling in person. Turnout data tracks how many registered voters have already cast ballots before official Election Day.