Two-thirds of Republicans in tight races are putting distance between themselves and Trump, Reuters review finds
A Reuters review of 62 competitive House and Senate races found Republican candidates in 41 of them breaking with President Trump on policy or playing down ties to him ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Most are splitting on single issues, such as the Iran conflict, rather than rejecting his agenda.
The finding: Reuters reviewed voting records, public statements and campaign materials in the 62 congressional races it considers competitive. In 41, the Republican candidate sought some distance from Trump, the news agency reported Wednesday. Reuters said it is the first systematic measure of the trend across the races that will decide control of Congress.
How they are doing it: Policy differences were the most common break, showing up in 23 races. In 12 contests the split was over the Iran conflict, with Republicans voting to curb Trump’s war powers or calling for an end to the fighting, which has pushed up gas prices. Reuters also found three candidates who criticized or tried to slow data center projects that Trump supports. A dozen candidates removed Trump’s name, image or endorsement from their campaign websites, mostly after winning their nominations. Direct criticism of Trump was rare.
Examples: Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, facing independent Dan Osborn, criticized Trump’s plan to expand beef imports but appeared with him at a rally this week. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa split with Trump on beef imports and voted to limit his war powers in Iran, then joined him at the White House days later for a steel-plant announcement. Rep. Mike Lawler of New York has highlighted disagreements with the president on several issues, Reuters reported.
The White House response: Spokesman Davis Ingle pointed to the administration’s record and called Trump “the unequivocal leader, best messenger and unmatched motivator” for the party, according to Reuters.
The backdrop: A new Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump’s approval at 32%, a career low, with registered voters favoring Democrats over Republicans for Congress 44% to 37%. Reuters noted that candidates of an unpopular president’s party often keep their distance before midterms; Democrats did so in 2014 and 2022.
What’s next: Congress is out until after the Nov. 3 election. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that some lawmakers want colleagues to pledge to accept the midterm results.
Sources
- Reuters via 93.3 The Drive — Most Republicans in tight midterm races distance themselves from Trump, Reuters review finds
- The Wall Street Journal — Lawmakers want colleagues to promise they’ll accept midterm election results
- The Seattle Times — Cantwell unveils AI safety framework as Congress stalls ahead of election (on Congress’s schedule)