Midterm Election: Trump Rallies in Iowa and Kansas as GOP Defends Control

President Donald Trump is concluding a turbulent midterm campaign with rallies in Salina, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, two states he has historically won with wide margins. These events mark the final days of voting as Republicans work to maintain their majorities in both chambers of Congress. More than 54 million Americans have already cast ballots, shifting the focus to a defensive posture for the GOP as voters evaluate the president's second term.

In Dubuque, Trump addressed supporters for two hours before traveling to Kansas. He asserted that Republicans are poised for sweeping victories on Tuesday. "We're going to elect ‘America first' Republicans up and down the line," he said. The campaign strategy differs from the 2024 cycle, when the focus was on flipping states that previously supported Joe Biden. This year, the emphasis remains on retaining dominance in states like Iowa and Kansas, even as some voters question the economic effects of tariffs and the war in Iran.

The political environment has shifted since the last election. Voters, including previous supporters, are weighing the impact of recent policy decisions. Trump's presence at the rallies is intended to energize base supporters. Jon Lutz, a 60-year-old civil engineer from Dubuque, attended his first rally on Sunday. Lutz said he is satisfied with the president's record and wants Republicans to keep control to advance the current agenda. "He’s done what he’s said he’s going to do," Lutz said. "I want him to keep going."

In Kansas, Liz Wagner, a 59-year-old restaurant owner, traveled 165 miles from Atchison to attend the outdoor rally at the airport in Salina. She expressed agreement with the president's platform. "I want people to get up and go to work and stop sticking their hands out," Wagner said while waiting to enter the venue. "The Democrats like to hand things out."

Democrats in Michigan face internal challenges that could affect their efforts to retake the Senate. Haley Stevens, a congresswoman and former primary opponent of Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday. Stevens announced the endorsement after being told she was no longer welcome in El-Sayed's campaign. "Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away," Stevens said in a video. "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."

Party leaders in Michigan moved to counter the split. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that the party is united in its support for El-Sayed. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the party would stand firmly behind the nominee and reject efforts to divide Democrats. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a key supporter of El-Sayed, dismissed concerns about a fracture. "Haley Stevens lost a very, very close primary. I can understand being upset about that," Sanders said on CBS' “Face the Nation.” "But from what I can see, all over the state, people are standing up, they’re gonna stand with Abdul."

Michigan is a critical battleground for the Democratic bid to control the Senate. If the party fails to hold the seat on Tuesday, it will face increased pressure to win races in Republican-leaning states such as Texas, Ohio, and Iowa. Democrats in Iowa are campaigning aggressively as well. Governor nominee Rob Sand held multiple events across the state on Sunday.

The closing stretch of the campaign tests Trump's influence within the Republican Party. Outgoing Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska raised concerns that tariffs could negatively impact GOP chances in the Midwest. "Tariffs are not popular here in the Midwest," Bacon told CNN's “State of the Union.” "I tried telling the president that." Bacon predicted a debate within the party if losses are substantial.

In contrast, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, expressed confidence in the GOP's ability to keep the Senate. Scott said he embraced Trump's central role in the campaign. "There's no doubt that President Trump has said himself that the midterm election is about him," Scott told NBC's “Meet the Press.” "His agenda, without any question, is on the ballot."

Trump paused his rally schedule on Saturday to attend a jungle-themed Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He told guests the country has never done better. On Sunday, he returned to the road, seeking to rally support in Iowa and Kansas before voters head to the polls on Tuesday.