Trump Targets Weak Seats as GOP Defends Congressional Control
The president resumes campaigning in Iowa and Kansas to protect fragile Republican majorities ahead of Tuesday's election.
By Marta Gray ·
President Donald Trump is holding two final rallies in Iowa and Kansas to help Republicans defend their congressional majorities. These stops occur as the party faces a defensive election cycle focused on holding seats rather than expanding territory.
The campaign's closing days have been marked by shifting schedules and strategic recalibrations. Earlier this week, the White House canceled both the Iowa and Kansas events. The trips were then abruptly rescheduled for this weekend, reflecting the urgency to support vulnerable candidates. Trump took a one-day break on Saturday before resuming his travel schedule.
Sunday afternoon brings the first event to Dubuque, Iowa. In that state, Republicans are competing to retain a critical Senate seat and the governor's office. The 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses Dubuque, has also become a focal point. The party seeks to protect its narrow House majority in that district as well.
Trump is set to conclude the pre-election campaigning period with a rally in Salina, Kansas. The stop supports a bid by Adam Hamilton to become the first Kansas Democrat to win a Senate seat in 94 years. The president is attempting to counter that challenge in a state where he has historically won by wide margins.
More than 52 million votes have already been cast in the nation. The current strategy contrasts with the 2024 presidential race, when the president focused on flipping states that previously backed the Democratic Party. This year, his rallies target states where Republican dominance was once assumed. Voters, including some former supporters, are questioning the economic impact of tariff policies and the decision to launch a war in Iran.
The final week also features internal dynamics within both parties. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is engaged in a public dispute with Rep. Haley Stevens, a primary opponent. This feud threatens to divide the Democratic base as they aim to reclaim the Senate. Meanwhile, Trump hosted a jungle-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday night. During the event, he stated, "The country's has never done better," while dismissing concerns about the nation's direction.
Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska expressed concern that tariff policies could hurt Republican chances in the Midwest. He told CNN's "State of the Union," "Tariffs are not popular here in the Midwest. I tried telling the president that." Bacon predicted a party debate about its future if losses are steep. Conversely, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, remains confident. He told NBC's "Meet the Press," "His agenda, without any question, is on the ballot."
