Why are major Democrats and Republicans flocking to Mississippi in recent weeks?

In a climate where polls show President Donald Trump's approval ratings cratering, Democrats are unusually optimistic about Scott Colom's chances of flipping the Senate seat held by incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith -- even in deep-red Mississippi.

"We got to have a senator that looks out for Mississippi, that puts Mississippi farmers first, Mississippi small businesses first, represent our values by not allowing corruption to ruin our country and actually delivers on the commitments to put America first," Colom told ABC News in an interview earlier this week.

Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Scott Colom speaks during a voting rights town hall at the historic Farish Street Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss., Aug.…