The Republican National Committee (RNC) is signaling to Republican lawmakers that distancing themselves from former President Donald Trump could be detrimental to their electoral prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. The RNC emphasized Trump's role in mobilizing voters, particularly those with mid- to low-propensity turnout.
"President Trump ‘is the biggest turnout machine for mid- to low-propensity voters and we need those voters to get to the polls,’" RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre told Politico. Baldassarre added that candidates who maintain an arm's length from Trump risk "alienating their base" and could see "15 to 20 percent of their key Republican voters not turning out because they don’t feel like they’re a good supporter of the president’s policies."
As the campaign season intensifies approaching Labor Day, Trump has organized a Republican midterm convention, an event that will feature him on both nights. He is scheduled to headline the convention on the same evening as Vice President J.D. Vance, a potential 2028 presidential candidate.
"Americans will hear from rising stars in the Republican Party, Karoline Leavitt, President Trump, and many more," Baldassarre stated, noting that the convention will highlight "the contrast between Republicans’ historic achievements and Democrats’ desire to abolish police and prisons, raise costs, and strip away our freedoms." The convention is slated to feature 109 speakers over its two-night run.
Efforts are also underway to leverage the financial resources associated with Trump's movement. The MAGA Inc. super PAC has amassed a $403 million war chest, which Republicans on the ballot are seeking to utilize. The PAC recently made its first major ad buy, committing $10 million to Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton, whom Trump endorsed in a primary contest against Sen. John Cornyn.
Trump has also committed to campaigning for Republican candidates. He specifically mentioned an upcoming visit to Alaska, where Sen. Dan Sullivan is currently trailing former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) by 2 percentage points in average polling. In Iowa, a state that Trump won by 14 percentage points in 2024, an Emerson College poll shows state Auditor Rob Sand (D) leading state Rep. Zach Lahn (R) 49.3% to 45.3% in the gubernatorial race.