Trump’s Rally Tour Clashes With Candidates as Midterm Stakes Rise
Dozens of rallies and persistent fraud claims have created tension between the President and his party’s nominees on Election Day.
By Layla Richardson ·
President Donald Trump concluded a series of rallies across the country on Sunday, ending his tour in Salina, Kansas, where he urged voters to support his party’s candidates. In his closing remarks, he told the crowd, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." The statement highlighted the unique dynamic of this midterm election, where the President is not a candidate for office but is deeply influencing the race for Congress and statehouses.
The President has held dozens of rallies in the weeks leading up to Tuesday. His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. While these events were designed to energize the base, many Republican candidates have kept their distance from the President in recent days. This physical and rhetorical separation reflects a strategy to appeal to moderate voters who may view the President's involvement as a liability rather than an asset.
The mood in the country is defined by economic anxiety. AP-NORC polling shows that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25% approve of his handling of the economy. About seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Most of those polled blame the President for high prices. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, captured this sentiment, noting, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything."
Despite the low approval numbers, Trump remains a central figure in the campaign. He has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including assertions that noncitizens vote in large numbers. His administration has filed lawsuits in Alaska and California related to election certification and ballot handling. Democrats fear these legal actions could lead to interference or intimidation, especially as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials. A federal judge temporarily barred a plan to prevent noncitizen voting on Monday, a move critics say risks disenfranchising eligible voters.
The stakes for Congress are high. Republicans hold 218 seats in the House and 53 in the Senate. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats to achieve majorities. Ballotpedia counts 46 battleground districts in the House and identifies 13 competitive Senate races. In the Senate, races in Maine, Iowa, and Kansas are rated as toss-ups or leaning Republican by major trackers. In Georgia, the race between Senator Jon Ossoff and Representative Mike Collins is seen as a key test for Democrats.
The financial aspect of the election is also notable. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent their Democratic counterparts, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. Analysis of AdImpact data shows that 88.1% of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024. This heavy investment in safe Republican areas contrasts with the need to defend competitive seats.
Voters are heading to the polls with a sense of urgency. More than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on Trump's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and angry over the war with Iran. The Postal Service has added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time, addressing concerns about delays.
In the governor's races, Democrats are hoping to hold a majority of offices for the first time in two decades. Republicans currently hold 26 governorships, while Democrats hold 24. Key matchups include Georgia, where Republican candidate Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Ohio, where Vivek Ramaswamy runs against Amy Acton. The AP calls Texas, Florida, and Iowa competitive governor races, indicating that the outcome of these states will be closely watched.
The political implications of a Democratic victory are significant. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates like Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker, while complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance. Republicans have tried to beat the historical pattern of midterm losses through redistricting, but new maps in states like Florida and Ohio may not perform as expected.
As polls open across the country, the focus shifts to turnout. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered, "The American people are angry. They want change." The day’s outcome will determine who controls Congress for the final two years of Trump’s term, with one or two seats potentially tipping either chamber.
