Trump Rallies in Arizona and Montana to Boost GOP Candidates
The former president's Western swing aims to energize voters and counter historical midterm losses for the party in power.
President Donald Trump continued his midterm election campaign tour on Wednesday with stops in Arizona and Montana, seeking to bolster Republican candidates in key races. The visits are part of a broader effort to rally the GOP ahead of the November elections, which will determine control of Congress.
In Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump addressed supporters to back Republican candidate Andy Biggs in his bid against incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs. Later, Trump traveled to Montana's 1st Congressional District to support Aaron Flint, a former aide to ex-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is running for the U.S. House.
These rallies are part of what White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia described as a "midterm blitz." The president's party historically faces challenges in midterm elections, often losing seats halfway through a presidential term. Trump's visits aim to mitigate expected Republican losses.
Arizona is considered a crucial swing state, although the rally location in Bullhead City is a Republican stronghold. Trump's recent campaign stops in October have primarily focused on reliably Republican areas, including Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. These efforts occur amidst challenges such as low approval ratings, rising costs, and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
With less than three weeks until the election, Trump's Western swing comes as the Republican party has adjusted its expectations in several competitive House races. Democrats, meanwhile, are increasing their fundraising efforts for candidates who were previously considered long shots. This shift reflects a more defensive stance for Republicans and a more aggressive approach from Democrats, who are seeking to capitalize on Trump's current public approval.
Trump has won Arizona in presidential elections twice, in 2016 and 2024, but lost the state in 2020. Montana's 1st District is slightly less Republican-aligned than the state overall, which has consistently voted for Trump by double digits.
Biggs, representing a safe GOP seat since 2016, has been a strong ally of Trump and supported efforts to challenge the certification of the 2020 election results. He faces Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake for governor four years prior, in a state that has seen a trend of electing Democrats to statewide positions.
In Montana, Flint secured endorsements from Trump and Zinke during the June primary. An Army veteran and radio host, Flint's campaign has targeted progressive Democrats. His opponent is Sam Forstag, a Democratic labor union leader and Forest Service smokejumper.