Trump Reverts to In-Person Rallies in Iowa and Kansas

President Donald Trump will return to in-person campaigning in Iowa and Kansas this weekend.

During a Friday afternoon exchange in the Oval Office, Trump said allies in both states contacted him after he initially moved to telerallies. He quoted them as saying, "if you can go, you would be better than a telerally." The president added, "we want to make sure we win Kansas" as well as Iowa. The Republican National Committee confirmed Friday morning that an event planned for Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday was back on. Trump had rallied in northwestern Iowa the prior week.

Ashley Hinson, Iowa's Republican Senate candidate, told reporters in Ames on Friday that she was looking forward to the visit. "It elevates how important this seat is in holding the U.S. Senate majority," Hinson said. "He is continuing to drive home the message, our voters need to get out and vote." Hinson was speaking to a few dozen voters eating barbeque as her campaign entered its final stretch.

The scheduling changes follow questions from Democrats about Trump's crowd sizes and stamina. Meanwhile, early voting is running well ahead of the last midterm cycle, according to an Associated Press analysis of voting data from five days before Election Day, with particularly sharp increases in states hosting competitive Senate races.

The Justice Department has subpoenaed California elections workers to appear before grand juries, a move that prompted voting groups to seek restraining orders. On Friday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the department's request that California set aside disputed ballots. The administration has alleged the state sent ballots to some 20,000 people who may not be U.S. citizens; California disputes the accuracy of that list. The court ruled 2-1.

In Alaska, the GOP has focused on a ballot-stacking controversy in the Senate race. Democrat Mary Peltola says Republicans are bullying because they cannot run on their record. Separately, former patient Meischa Zimmerman sued Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall on Thursday in Barton County District Court over debt-collection tactics, accusing the retired obstetrician of charging illegally high interest rates on unpaid bills. Marshall, who is seeking reelection, said earlier this month that his practices were similar to those of other providers.