Trump to campaign in Ohio and Alaska as Republicans face tight midterm races

Ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump launched an 11-state campaign swing through traditionally friendly red states—including Ohio, Alaska, Arizona, and Montana—where Republican candidates face tight races. As Trump navigates headwinds from high gasoline prices and the war in Iran, Democrats led by candidates like Abdul El-Sayed target Senate majorities while warning against election denialism.

Trump's scheduled midterm campaign rallies

• ▪President Donald Trump planned campaign rallies in Ohio, Alaska, Arizona, and Montana ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.
• ▪President Donald Trump scheduled a campaign rally on October 12, 2026, at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, Montana, supporting House candidate Aaron Flint.
• ▪President Donald Trump scheduled an October 12, 2026 rally at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, to support Republican Senator Jon Husted.
• ▪President Donald Trump will have campaigned in 11 states over two weeks ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections.

Trump's midterm campaign strategy

• ▪Center for Politics director Larry Sabato noted that President Donald Trump's travel strategy focused on venues where he could draw friendly crowds to help competitive Republican candidates.
• ▪President Donald Trump told reporters on October 10, 2026, that he was visiting friendly areas to thank voters who previously backed him.
• ▪White House officials stated that President Donald Trump's campaign stops aimed to boost turnout among his most loyal supporters, whom Trump urged to pretend he is on the ballot.

Midterm polls show Democratic Senate leads

• ▪A New York Times and Siena University poll found Democratic Senate candidates leading in Alaska, Ohio, and Texas ahead of the November 2026 midterms.
• ▪A poll showed Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed leading Republican candidate Mike Rogers by five points.
• ▪An October 11, 2026 NBC's Meet the Press appearance highlighted that polls show Democrats leading the U.S. House race and positioned to gain Senate seats.

Key Senate races in Ohio and Alaska

• ▪Donald Trump won Alaska by double digits in the 2024 presidential election.
• ▪In Alaska's U.S. Senate race, Republican Senator Dan Sullivan faces Democratic candidate Mary Peltola ahead of the November 3, 2026 election.
• ▪Republican Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jon Husted to the U.S. Senate in 2024 after J.D. Vance vacated the seat.
• ▪In Ohio's U.S. Senate race, Republican Senator Jon Husted faces Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown ahead of the November 3, 2026 election.

Arizona gubernatorial race and candidates

• ▪Arizona is one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in states won by Donald Trump in 2024.
• ▪Republican candidate for Arizona Governor Andy Biggs challenged the 2020 electoral results on January 6, 2021, and was later subpoenaed in an Arizona probe.
• ▪In Arizona's gubernatorial race, incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs faces Republican Representative Andy Biggs in the November 3, 2026 election.

Investigations affirm 2020 election results

• ▪Former Judge Thomas B. Griffith's investigation concluded there was no evidence of fraud sufficient to alter the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
• ▪The 2021 Cyber Ninjas audit of Maricopa County, Arizona, confirmed that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election in the county.

Debatable claims

• ▪Donald Trump's campaign rallies in red states are an effective midterm strategy for Republicans
• ▪Donald Trump's personal campaign presence drives turnout among conservative midterm voters
• ▪Republican candidates in competitive midterm races should avoid litigating the 2020 election
• ▪High gasoline prices and foreign conflicts are the primary cause of Republican midterm vulnerabilities