President Donald Trump is returning to Ohio for the third time in a month as part of his campaign to maintain Republican control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections. The focus on pivotal states comes as voters grapple with record fuel prices, rising costs, and an unpopular war. Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to rally Democrats in Georgia.
Trump's campaign stops in the final stretch reflect a defensive posture for the Republican party, with financial support from Trump's signature super PAC, MAGA Inc., bolstering candidates. Recent stops include Mississippi and Texas, with planned visits to South Carolina, Florida, Kansas, and Iowa.
Vice President JD Vance is set to campaign in North Carolina, where Republicans are reportedly pessimistic about retaining a Senate seat. The race there is to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.
Obama, the last Democratic president to serve two terms, is actively campaigning for his party and positioning himself as a counterpoint to Trump. He recently criticized the former president in Michigan over White House renovations and accusations of increasing personal wealth while in office.
In Georgia, Obama plans to appear with former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is seeking to become the first Black woman elected governor in the United States, and Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is running for reelection.
In Ohio, the Republican ticket includes Vivek Ramaswamy for governor and Sen. Jon Husted, who is seeking to complete the remainder of Vance's Senate term. Ramaswamy's campaign has generated controversy with an advertisement featuring Acton's mother calling her daughter a "liar" who "needs help." Acton, Ohio's former state health director, has stated she has not seen her mother in nearly 50 years. Trump endorsed the ad, while other Republicans, including Husted, have distanced themselves from it.