Why Trump is going to Republican-leaning states for midterm election rallies
An expert said it’s not unheard of for a president to go to "safe" territory.
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With just weeks until the high-stakes midterm elections
With just weeks until the high-stakes midterm elections, President Donald Trump is set to headline rallies in Republican-favoring states this week -- with critics asking why the president is not instead focusing on key battleground states instead.
Some Republicans and experts say the goal is
Some Republicans and experts say the goal is to boost midterm election turnout among Republican voters more generally who might have been less motivated to vote this year, and that this sort of travel to "safe" states during midterm years is not unprecedented. One expert said Trump's low national approval ratings could be seen as a risk -- and a reason he’s not stumping in more competitive areas.
Trump will join a "Midterm Rally" on Thursday
Trump will join a "Midterm Rally" on Thursday, Oct. 1 in Durant, Oklahoma, and another in Mobile, Alabama on Friday, Oct. 2, according to announcements by the Republican National Committee last week.
Both rallies will be in congressional districts and
Both rallies will be in congressional districts and states that appear to favor the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections.
Durant, for instance, is located in Oklahoma's 2nd
Durant, for instance, is located in Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District, which Trump won by more than 50 percentage points in 2024, according to data compiled by the Associated Press. This district, held by GOP Rep. Josh Brecheen, is also expected to be solidly Republican in the midterms, as are the statewide governor and Senate races, according to ABC News race ratings.
Mobile, meanwhile, was redrawn after mid-decade redistricting to
Mobile, meanwhile, was redrawn after mid-decade redistricting to be in Alabama's 1st Congressional District. The redrawn district, favoriting Republicans, would have voted for Trump in 2024 by around 40 points.
The 2nd Congressional District, which formerly included part
The 2nd Congressional District, which formerly included part of Mobile, is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures, but now leans Republican post-redistricting, according to ABC News race ratings -- although Figures and his supporters plan to put up a fight to hold the seat. And the statewide Senate and governor races in Alabama are considered solid Republican, according to ABC News race ratings.
Trump will also be heading to states with
Trump will also be heading to states with more competitive races. Later in October, he is set to attend rallies in Ohio, Iowa and Nebraska -- states that voted for him in 2024 but are hosting competitive Senate races in 2026.
Trump, asked about the upcoming red-state campaign trips
Trump, asked about the upcoming red-state campaign trips in the Oval Office on Monday, said "we have great people" in those races, and slammed the Democratic candidates. But Democrats are arguing that Trump is going to red states like Alabama because Republicans are nervous.
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Why Trump is going to Republican-leaning states for midterm election rallies
An expert said it’s not unheard of for a president to go to "safe" territory.
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Source: ABC News