Republicans take mixed approach on welcoming Trump on the campaign trail
During the upcoming midterm elections, Republican candidates are divided on whether to campaign with Donald Trump, as his popularity has declined to a record-low approval rating of 32%.Many candidates in key races in states Trump previously won are welcoming his support, especially in strongholds like South Carolina, alaska, Kansas, and North Carolina, where Trump’s influence remains meaningful. For instance,candidates in South Carolina and Alaska express enthusiasm for Trump’s involvement,citing his ability to energize voters and deliver results. Conversely, in some battleground states like Michigan and New York, GOP strategists and candidates are cautious about Trump’s presence, viewing him as perhaps a liability among independents and in areas where his popularity is low. Trump’s campaign schedule includes visits to Texas and New York, though some allies and commentators believe his presence could harm certain candidates in more Democratic-leaning regions. while Trump continues to be a major figure in Republican campaigning, opinions on his impact vary, with some questioning his usefulness in tight or blue-leaning races.
Republican candidates in the most closely watched races this midterm election cycle are split over whether to appear with President Donald Trump on the campaign trail or risk offending the MAGA base by avoiding him altogether.
Trump’s approval rating hit a record-low 32% this week, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. The GOP is also fretting that fallout from the Iran war and subsequent high gas and diesel prices could cost the party control of the House and Senate.
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The Washington Examiner contacted nearly 20 Republican campaigns across the nation, asking whether candidates would appear with Trump if he visited their state. Most did not respond, but at least three campaigns said they welcome Trump’s presence.
All of the candidates are running in states the president won in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
“South Carolina is Trump country, and Sen. Graham would always welcome the President of the United States to the Palmetto State,” said T.W. Arrighi, a spokesperson for Sen. Darline Graham’s (R-SC) campaign.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia changed the rating of the Senate seat in South Carolina between Graham and Democratic candidate Annie Andrews from “Safe Republican” to “Leans Republican,” but that has not caused the incumbent senator to back away from Trump, even as Democrats try to expand pickup opportunities in the upper chamber.
The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican PAC affiliated with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), canceled its remaining ad reservations in North Carolina last week in a move that suggests Republican Michael Whatley’s Senate chances of defeating Democrat Roy Cooper could be fading.
But Whatley’s campaign was adamant that they would welcome Trump again to the Tar Heel State, dismissing concerns from retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) to put distance from Trump. “Who better drives GOP turnout in NC — Tillis or Trump?” said DJ Griffin, a Whatley spokesman. “We welcome President Trump back to NC any time and are happy to campaign with him.”
Sabato’s Crystal Ball also moved Alaska’s Senate race from “Toss up” to “Leans Democrat” one day after Vice President JD Vance traveled to Alaska to boost Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Despite the change in ratings, Sullivan’s campaign would be willing to appear with Trump.
“President Trump is coming back to the state he’s delivered for more than any other president in our nation’s history,” campaign spokesman Nate Adams said. “On day one of his administration, President Trump signed an executive order unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential, ending years of D.C. imposed lockdowns on our lands, our energy, and our jobs, and green-lighting projects that are putting thousands of Alaskans to work. Senator Sullivan looks forward to welcoming the President, and continuing their work of delivering real results for Alaska.”
Kansas Republican Ty Masterson is in a tight race against Democrat Cindy Holscher in the battle to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Democrats are increasingly bullish that Kansas is in play this cycle, yet Masterson’s campaign did not back down from standing with Trump.
“Ty would welcome President Trump if he chooses to come to Kansas, and would appear with him if given the opportunity,” said Garrett Henson, a spokesman for Masterson.
How useful Trump will be to Republicans on the campaign trail is unclear.
“It varies from district to district,” said Jason Cabel Roe, a Michigan GOP strategist who works for Rep. Tom Barrett’s (R-MI) campaign. “In some seats, you know, using him to pull out those low-propensity voters can be useful. In some of those swingier seats, it might not be as useful. So I think each campaign has to make a decision on where their vulnerabilities are in the final four weeks of the campaign.”
Other Republicans were more blunt.
“At this point, Trump is an albatross around the neck of candidates in battleground states,” said one GOP strategist who requested anonymity to speak freely. “He is not wanted, needed, or appreciated in battleground states where Republicans need independents to get across the finish line.”
Trump is set to travel to Texas on Wednesday, the second time in two weeks, to boost state attorney general Ken Paxton in his battle against Democrat James Talarico to replace retiring Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Gov. Greg Abbott, a staunch Trump ally, will not attend the rally, citing campaign schedule conflicts.
Trump will also travel to Syracuse, New York, on Friday, but Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman’s campaign did not respond when asked by the Washington Examiner if he would appear with Trump.
Republicans in New York have claimed that Trump’s presence will hurt Blakeman in a deep blue New York instead boosting the candidate, who faces a steep climb against Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Trump is coming to Syracuse to campaign for Bruce Blakeman. I think this is a mistake,” wrote conservative American radio talk show host Bob Lonsberry on X. “Trump is underwater 2-to-1 in New York and he will hurt more than he helps. Nobody is voting for Blakeman because they love Trump; they are voting for Blakeman because they hate Hochul.”
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New York Republican strategist Jay Townsend told the Washington Examiner that “Blakeman is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t.”
“There are a few states where Donald Trump is more unpopular than New York. His brand in New York is toxic,” Townsend added. “So here’s Blakeman’s dilemma: If he doesn’t show up, the mainstream media and everybody else is going to take that as a sign that he’s now trying to distance himself from Trump at the 11th hour, and if he does, the MAGA base in New York is going to be all over him for trying to separate himself from Trump.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who is in a closely watched election against Democratic challenger Cait Conley, told Fox Business there were no plans for Trump to come to his district. A Lawler spokesperson also did not respond when asked if he would appear with Trump in New York.
Trump’s travel schedule will continue throughout October, but he is mostly sticking to red-leaning states. White House allies said that he will travel to battleground states. But some Republicans remain wary.
“Trump right now is electoral cancer,” said a Republican strategist.
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