Leavitt says Trump is defying midterm headwinds as he barnstorms country
Karoline Leavitt says Donald Trump is campaigning actively to help Republicans overcome a difficult outlook in the midterm elections. The party is defending narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, while facing economic pressures, an unpopular war with Iran and weak presidential approval ratings.
Leavitt acknowledged that the party in power has historically lost seats in midterms, and said Trump was urging supporters who often skip these elections to vote. He has campaigned in North and South Carolina and was due in Michigan; Leavitt also cited Republican fundraising strength. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin, meanwhile, said Democrats were gaining ground and Republicans were spending heavily to defend safe districts.
In short
- Trump is campaigning to protect Republican congressional majorities.
- Leavitt acknowledged the historical disadvantage facing the party in power.
- She cited fundraising strength and urged infrequent voters to turn out.
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The case for
Trump’s active campaigning could help Republicans by energising supporters who are less likely to vote in midterms, while his prominence may draw attention and resources to close races. Leavitt’s emphasis on fundraising also points to a party with capacity to compete despite the usual electoral disadvantages facing the party in power.
The case against
Republicans face substantial headwinds: the governing party often loses seats in midterms, and economic pressures, an unpopular war with Iran and weak presidential approval may make voters less receptive to their candidates. Democrats say they are gaining ground, and heavy Republican spending to defend even safe districts could reflect a strained effort to hold narrow majorities.
Explained simply
Midterm elections take place halfway through a US president’s four-year term. Voters choose all 435 members of the House of Representatives and about a third of the Senate, which can change who controls Congress and how readily the president can pass laws.
Donald Trump is a Republican, and his party holds narrow majorities in both chambers. The party of the sitting president has often lost seats in midterms, while turnout is usually lower than in presidential elections. This makes participation by supporters who might otherwise stay home especially important to both parties.
The Democratic Party, led nationally by Ken Martin as chair of its committee, is seeking to win seats from Republicans. Control of Congress matters because lawmakers approve legislation and federal spending, and can investigate the administration.