Trump's rallies in Iowa and Kansas come as Republicans fight to keep Senate and House control

President Donald Trump is concluding his final days of the volatile midterm campaign with rallies in two states he previously won easily, while Democrats grapple with internal strife in Michigan. In Iowa, Trump addressed supporters in Dubuque, emphasizing the party's potential sweep of key U.S. Senate and gubernatorial seats. Meanwhile, in Kansas, Trump plans to campaign in Salina, where a Democrat faces an unprecedented bid for a Senate seat in 94 years.

As the midterm elections approach, the GOP appears defensive, reflecting the stark shift in the political landscape since Trump's last campaign. In 2024, he targeted states that had previously supported Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump's focus on traditionally Republican states comes as voters question the economic consequences of his trade policies and foreign interventions.

Democrats in Michigan face challenges from internal divisions. The party's top senator, Chuck Schumer, and key members like Kirsten Gillibrand and Bernie Sanders have publicly backed the embattled gubernatorial candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, rejecting attempts to create division within the Democratic ranks. Meanwhile, Republicans like outgoing Nebraska representative Don Bacon worry about potential policy backlash from tariffs and express optimism about Republican chances in the Senate.

As Trump campaigns relentlessly, his supporters, like Dubuque resident Jon Lutz and Burlington resident Wendy Kuenzler, express confidence in the president's second-term record and desire for continued Republican control of Congress. However, the campaign has been marked by Trump's sometimes controversial remarks and has raised concerns about its impact on the broader Republican Party.