Politics

Trump Cancels Kansas and Iowa Rallies, Shifting to Phone Campaigns as Midterm Polls Favor Democrats

By Elizabeth Melimopoulos

With four days remaining before the U.S. midterm elections, national polls show Democrats ahead of Republicans. RealClearPolling reports a 51.4 percent to 43.2 percent lead, an 8.2‑point advantage. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, notes that Trump’s approval rating sits at 37 percent, with 61 percent disapproval, and that economic concerns are hurting Republican enthusiasm. In Wisconsin, a Marquette poll released on October 28 found only 16 percent of respondents feel better off financially than a year ago, while 42 percent feel worse off and 42 percent feel the same.

In state‑level contests, a CNN survey released Thursday shows Democrat James Talarico at 49 percent against Republican Ken Paxton’s 43 percent in Texas, and Democrat Abdul El‑Sayed at 49 percent to Republican Mike Rogers’ 42 percent in Michigan. Franklin cautions that close races can swing in either direction.

Alaska’s Senate race faces a legal dispute that could delay the result. The conflict involves two candidates named Dan Sullivan—incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and an independent candidate who is also registered as a Republican. The Justice Department has taken action, while Democrat Mary Peltola denies the allegations. The outcome could affect Senate control.

On the campaign trail, Trump visited South Carolina to support Republican Senator Darline Graham, urging voters to turn out. Vice President J.D. Vance held a rally in Weatherford, Texas, alongside Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Former President Barack Obama spoke in Georgia in support of Senator Jon Ossoff, while former Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned in Texas and Georgia, urging young voters to participate.

Trump has cancelled weekend rallies in Kansas and Iowa, replacing them with telephone events in nearly 20 states. The President was scheduled to appear in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, but said he does not feel the need to travel to Kansas. Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters said the change would allow Trump to reach more voters. Trump remains scheduled for a rally at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday, and Harris is set to speak at the Fulton Forward dinner in Atlanta.

The final days of campaigning continue as parties push voters to the polls ahead of Tuesday’s election.