By Sohaib Shams
President Donald Trump has canceled a planned rally in Salina, Kansas, and will instead hold more than 20 tele-rallies before Election Day, marking a strategic shift in the final days of the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation into Democrat Mary Peltola's Senate campaign over allegations it recruited a candidate sharing Republican Senator Dan Sullivan's name to dilute votes.
Trump shifts to tele-rallies in final campaign days
Two White House officials and a GOP source confirmed Saturday's Kansas event was scrapped. The president, 80, had campaigned on 22 of 28 days in October, visiting 19 states and averaging 90-minute rally speeches. Officials described the new "shotgun approach" as maximizing reach in battleground states as races tighten. A Sunday rally in Dubuque, Iowa, remains undecided, while Trump is scheduled to appear in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday. On Thursday, he rallied in South Carolina for Republican Senator Darline Graham, who faces Democrat Annie Andrews.
Alaska governor orders investigation into Peltola campaign
Gov. Dunleavy directed the Department of Public Safety to investigate whether Peltola's campaign violated state laws by allegedly working with allies to recruit a second Dan Sullivan onto the ballot. The move follows a New York Times report Dunleavy called "disturbing new evidence." Trump said it was "hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run" and declined to say whether Republicans would seat Peltola if she wins. State and federal prosecutors are already investigating the second Sullivan's candidacy, and a grand jury issued subpoenas in August. The Justice Department sued last week to block certification if the incumbent Sullivan loses. Harvard Law professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos noted such "dummy candidate" tactics are historically rarely actionable and less impactful under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system.
Other election developments
A federal judge in California blocked the Trump administration's request to segregate 20,000 mail-in ballots from alleged noncitizens. The Justice Department's voting section chief said no FBI or ICE agents will serve as election monitors on Election Day. A group called "Stand Your Ground" is distributing mailers in competitive House races aimed at turning pro-gun voters against Republican candidates. The Supreme Court is weighing a Colorado case pitting LGBTQ rights against religious rights.
