Trump targets Iowa and Kansas in final push for GOP control

President Donald Trump spoke for two hours in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday before traveling to Salina, Kansas. The rallies mark the final days of a midterm campaign where Republicans aim to hold their majorities in both chambers of Congress.

In Iowa, the president told a crowd that the party is close to a sweep on Tuesday. He stated, “We’re going to elect ‘America first’ Republicans up and down the line.” This campaign strategy differs from 2024, when Trump focused on flipping states that voted for Joe Biden in 2020. This year, his attention has stayed in states he previously dominated, such as Iowa and Kansas, even as some voters question the economic impact of his tariffs and the war in Iran.

More than 54 million votes had already been cast before Sunday. The high number reflects a defensive posture for the GOP, which faces challenges in the House and risks losing the Senate.

While Trump campaigned, Democrats in Michigan faced a sudden fracture. Congresswoman Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers after a primary loss. Stevens, who had previously run against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, said her endorsement followed an invitation to a Democratic event that was rescinded. She said, “Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away.”

The move forced national Democrats to clarify their position. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party was “united in our support” for El-Sayed. Kirsten Gillibrand, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chair, added that the party would “reject any efforts to divide Democrats.” Sen. Bernie Sanders, a key supporter of El-Sayed, dismissed the split on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” He noted that Stevens lost a close primary but that voters across the state were standing with El-Sayed.

Michigan is central to the Democratic goal of retaking the Senate. If they lose that seat on Tuesday, they will need wins in deeper red states like Texas and Ohio to reclaim control. In Iowa, Trump supporter Jon Lutz, a 60-year-old civil engineer, said he wants Republicans to keep control to advance the president’s agenda. He stated, “He’s done what he’s said he’s going to do.”

Republican Sen. Tim Scott said he is confident the party will keep the Senate. He noted that Trump’s agenda is on the ballot. Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., warned that tariffs are unpopular in the Midwest and could weigh on the party’s results. Trump had paused his rally schedule on Saturday to attend a Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago, where he told guests, “The country has never done better.”