Trump targets Iowa and Kansas as Republicans defend House and Senate majorities

The final days of the 2026 midterm cycle have become a defensive campaign for the Republican Party. As the election approaches, President Donald Trump is focusing his energy on states he has historically won, aiming to protect the party's control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump’s itinerary for the last weekend before Election Day includes two key stops. He is scheduled to hold a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, on Sunday afternoon. He will follow that with a visit to Salina, Kansas, to close out the campaign. These locations were chosen because Republicans are fighting to hold onto the Senate seat in Iowa and protect their slim majority in the House.

The strategic shift marks a change from the 2024 presidential election. In 2024, the campaign focused on flipping states that had supported Democrat Joe Biden. This year, the Republican effort is concentrated on deep red states. This approach reflects a response to voter concerns regarding the economic impact of new tariffs and the ongoing war in Iran.

More than 52 million votes have already been cast. This high volume of early voting indicates that the election is becoming a direct referendum on Trump’s second term. The Republican Party is relying on his presence to energize its base in these critical states.

While the Republican campaign focuses on defense, the Democratic Party is dealing with a visible fracture in Michigan. In that state, former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers for Senate. Stevens, a Democrat, announced her support for the Republican candidate after saying she was no longer welcome at a Democratic event.

Stevens cited a lack of support for Israel from the Democratic nominee, Abdul El-Sayed, as a factor in her decision. She stated in a video that El-Sayed told her to stay away from his campaign. Her endorsement forced other Democratic leaders to publicly reaffirm their backing for El-Sayed.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the party remained united in its support. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the party would reject efforts to divide its ranks. Senator Bernie Sanders, a key supporter of El-Sayed, dismissed the idea of a split on CBS' Face the Nation. He argued that voters in Michigan are standing with El-Sayed despite Stevens' departure.

The outcome in Michigan is critical for the Democratic strategy to retake the Senate. If Democrats lose that seat, they will need to win races in states like Texas, Kansas, Ohio, or Iowa to gain control. This makes the current Republican focus on Kansas and Iowa particularly important.

The campaign also highlights internal Republican questions about Trump's influence. Outgoing Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said tariffs are not popular in the Midwest. He predicted a debate within the party if there are major losses this week. In contrast, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina expressed confidence that Republicans would keep the Senate. Scott noted that Trump's agenda is effectively on the ballot for voters.

Trump paused his rally schedule on Saturday to attend a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago resort. There, he told guests the country had never done better. The rallies in Iowa and Kansas will be his final appearances before voters head to the polls on Tuesday.