President Donald Trump is gearing up for the 2026 midterm elections by committing to campaign for Republican candidates. His focus is on securing control of Congress for the GOP. Trump aims to participate in approximately 35 races to help maintain Republican majorities, as shared during a dinner with Republican lawmakers in the White House Rose Garden. He emphasized the importance of these contests to the GOP’s success.
Trump has already supported GOP candidates in states such as Texas and South Carolina. He plans to visit Alaska to campaign for Senator Dan Sullivan. The president remains determined, stating, “It’s all about 35 races,” and expressing his intent to visit each of those places in an effort to elect Republican candidates. His campaign efforts are expected to be intensive as the elections approach.
We’re going to really work hard. We’re going to take that final 30 days…get all those people elected…I’m going to have to work.
Simultaneously, billionaire Elon Musk’s super PAC, America PAC, is allocating significant resources toward important House and Senate races. It has spent around $800,000 in independent expenditures for battleground contests, marking the first reported spending for the 2026 cycle. America PAC has accumulated roughly $50 million in receipts, highlighting Musk’s position as a major Republican donor.
Notably, America PAC’s expenditures include substantial figures for campaigns such as Ken Paxton’s in Texas and races in Alaska and Iowa. This strategic spending reflects the Republican effort to fortify vulnerable candidates ahead of November’s elections.
An interesting dynamic is developing in Senate races, with several contests labeled as Toss Ups by the Cook Political Report. Particularly, states like Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas are facing heightened competition. Michigan presents a chance for Democrats to gain a seat, being an open Democratic-held seat, while other Republican-held seats are under threat.
More specifically, Texas offers Democrats an opportunity to flip a traditionally Republican seat with a close race between Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Polls indicate that this contest is tight, prompting Trump’s campaigning in Texas.
Maine is also crucial for Democrats seeking control of the Senate. Republican Susan Collins is competing against Democrat Troy Jackson, with polling indicating a narrow margin. Democrats argue that low approval ratings for Trump and economic concerns could sway the electorate in their favor.
Former Republican Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire noted on CNN that Trump’s strategic focus on areas where he can be beneficial may not mean visiting every single race. He highlighted Trump’s past successes as potential benefits to the overall Republican strategy.
The outcome of these elections could signify public approval or disapproval of the current president. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose seats during midterm elections. Republicans now hold a slim majority in the House and a 53-45 majority in the Senate, not counting independent Senators Bernie Sanders and Angus King, who caucus with Democrats.