'Defend the Senate'... Trump makes all-out push in Iowa and Kansas two days before midterms

Final campaign rallies for Republicans in Iowa and Kansas
Growing likelihood of Republicans losing their House majority

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a last-ditch, all-out effort to preserve the Republican Party’s Senate majority ahead of the midterm elections on November 3 (local time). The likelihood of Republicans losing their House majority is growing, while even traditionally Republican strongholds have become competitive.

U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House

According to the Financial Times (FT) on November 1, President Trump was scheduled to hold his final in-person campaign rallies before the midterms that day in Iowa and Kansas. After spending the past month campaigning in key swing states for Republican candidates, Trump plans to return to the White House after the rallies and watch the election results.

Analysts say Trump’s choice of Iowa and Kansas for his final campaign stops symbolically illustrates the Republicans’ predicament. Both states are Republican strongholds. However, support for Democratic candidates is rising as energy prices climb due to the war in Iran and the cost-of-living burden grows.

In Iowa, Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson, who has Trump’s endorsement, is competing with Democratic candidate Josh Turek for a Senate seat. In Kansas, Republican incumbent Senator Roger Marshall is facing a strong challenge from Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton.

Republicans currently hold 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats. Democrats’ strategy is to retain their existing seats and flip at least four more from Republicans to take control of the chamber.

The states where the parties are locked in close races as they vie for control include North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Alaska and Texas. In North Carolina, the odds appear to favor a Democratic victory.

The FT reported that Trump has struggled to boost Republican candidates’ support, as he has not focused enough in recent campaign appearances on the cost-of-living burden, voters’ top concern.

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