By Basant El-Faramawy
President Donald Trump is campaigning in traditionally Republican states to defend GOP congressional majorities as Democrats gain ground in some areas. With days until the midterm elections, Trump has made 20 stops in states he won easily and six in battlegrounds since Sept. 9.
Texas focus
Trump made his fourth trip to Texas on Tuesday, attending two rallies. Vice President JD Vance will also rally in Texas later this week. The state, which Trump won three times, has seen eight visits from the president and vice president since Labor Day. A recent poll shows a tight race between Democratic state Rep. James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Mississippi rally
On Monday, Trump rallied in Mississippi, a state he carried by 23 points in 2024. He endorsed GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith against Democrat Scott Colom, saying he "can't take a chance" on complacency.
Kansas and Wisconsin
Trump campaigned in Kansas for Sen. Roger Marshall, who faces a toss-up race against Democrat Rev. Adam Hamilton. In Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, Trump surrogates including Vance, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Speaker Mike Johnson have visited as the race shifted to lean Democrat.
Iowa visits
Trump has visited Iowa, another state he won three times, with a rally in Dubuque scheduled two days before the midterms. Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson faces Democrat Josh Turek. Cabinet members have made at least nine visits to Iowa in August, highlighting competitive House, Senate, and governor races.
National context
Democrats center campaigns on affordability and ending the Iran war, while Republicans attack on taxes, culture war, and transgender issues. Trump's approval rating hit a record low of 33% in an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, with 70% of Americans saying gas is unaffordable and the country is headed in the wrong direction.
