President Donald Trump is planning to campaign for numerous Republican candidates in the buildup to the Nov. 3 midterm elections, aiming to influence several competitive Senate races. Despite his strong following among the Republican base, Trump’s involvement presents a complex challenge for some candidates in battleground states, where his polarizing policies and unpopular stances on issues such as immigration and foreign affairs have caused concern.
In the coming days, Trump is scheduled to visit states with significant Republican constituencies, including Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. His campaign appearances are designed to highlight his economic agenda, with a confirmed stop in Denton, Texas. However, in some of the closest Senate contests that will likely determine control of the chamber, Republican candidates are divided over whether to align themselves publicly with the former president.
Among the nine key Republican Senate candidates engaged in the tightest races, four have expressed openness or eagerness to campaign alongside Trump. Three have remained noncommittal, while two have explicitly declined to join forces with him.
In Alaska, Senator Dan Sullivan’s campaign confirmed that he intends to campaign with Trump at some point in October, although specific plans have not yet been finalized. Sullivan is facing a competitive race against Mary Peltola, an independent-leaning Democrat who secured the lead in the state’s all-party primary in August.
Michael Whatley, running for Senate in North Carolina, has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters among Republicans in competitive races. Whatley campaigned recently with Trump in Gastonia and expressed willingness to continue joint appearances. He is challenging former Governor Roy Cooper in a state that Trump narrowly carried in the previous presidential election.
Conversely, Senator Susan Collins of Maine has firmly refused to campaign with Trump. The centrist Republican, who faces Democratic state Senator Troy Jackson in a state that leans Democratic, stated earlier this year that colluding with Trump on the campaign trail "is just not going to happen," emphasizing her preference to run her campaign independently.
Similarly, former Senator John E. Sununu of New Hampshire has indicated no intention of appearing with Trump. Sununu’s campaign stressed a focus on local issues and voters, citing that the candidate will not campaign with anyone from outside New Hampshire. He is contending with Representative Chris Pappas, a four-term Democrat, in a state also considered competitive.
The remaining candidates in these pivotal Senate races have either not disclosed their positions or are weighing whether Trump's participation would assist or hinder their chances in closely contested states. Republicans are navigating a delicate balance between energizing the party base, which generally remains supportive of Trump, and appealing to independent and swing voters, for whom the former president’s presence may be a liability.
As the midterm election draws nearer, the role of Trump’s campaigning efforts will continue to be a significant factor in shaping the dynamics and outcomes of several Senate races across the country.