Republicans need Trump to turn out the base. Some candidates still don’t want him.

Republicans face a difficult decision as President Donald Trump's unpopularity poses a significant challenge for their November elections. On one hand, they recognize that Trump may be their only option to avoid a substantial defeat; on the other hand, his presence could alienate undecided voters and detract from efforts to mobilize the low-propensity base voters they desperately need.

Many Republican candidates in close races are wary of campaigning alongside Trump and the baggage that comes with him, including high gas prices, persistent economic concerns, and the ongoing war in Iran. However, keeping Trump at arm's length could make it harder to mobilize the base voters that only Trump has been able to bring to the polls.

Some GOP operatives acknowledge that these candidates are in a tough spot, saying, "They may not want Trump to come to the district, but there are still things that Trump can do to help." They note that Trump's campaign travel and persuasive powers could still make a difference, even if some candidates prefer to keep him at a distance.

Trump's influence on the election appears to be increasing as he inserts himself more frequently into the campaign in the closing stretch. He is ramping up his campaign travel with stops scheduled in red states and repeatedly imploring voters to "pretend" he's on the ballot. Most recently, he appeared in taxpayer-funded campaign-style ads that the White House has claimed are Public Service Announcements.

While some Republicans have encouraged Trump's team not to send the president to blue-leaning districts where his approval rating is underwater, others believe that he is still a valuable turnout tool for Republican candidates. The Republican National Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Trump remains a valuable asset for their party's efforts to mobilize voters and win key races.