From TIME · Philip Elliott · · 2m
Republicans brace for historic midterm losses
With six weeks until Election Day, GOP leaders are shifting strategy to salvage Senate seats in once-safe states.
In brief
With six weeks until Election Day, GOP leaders are shifting strategy to salvage Senate seats in once-safe states. Republicans are preparing for a major electoral defeat, redirecting resources from offensive targets to defensive battles in traditionally red states. Originally reported by TIME.
Republicans shift to survival mode
With six weeks until Election Day, GOP leaders have moved from nervous to fatalistic as bad news piles up across the map. Once-safe Republican states like Nebraska, Kansas, and South Carolina are now in play.
Scott warns Senate Republicans
Tim Scott, head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told his caucus that 2026 will not look like 2024. He urged incumbents to run as if they were behind so the party could focus resources on defending Texas, Iowa, Maine, and Alaska.
“2026 is not going to look anything like 2024.”
Iowa Republicans in deep trouble
Conservative radio host Steve Deace warned Iowa Republicans that districts with plus-15 margins are now within the margin of error. He called it potentially worse than the 2006 midterm environment, even in Trump's strongest state.
“If the environment is this bad in my home state, where Trump has been the most popular political figure over the last decade, I can't imagine where it is everywhere else.”
Candidates distance from Trump
Iowa Republicans are running away from Trump. Rep. Zach Nunn voted to curb Trump's unpopular Iran war, and Rep. Ashley Hinson is running ads touting work with Democrats instead of her Trump endorsement.
Texas spending hits record levels
A super PAC backed by Senate Majority Leader John Thune is spending over one hundred million dollars to boost Ken Paxton's Senate race. Total GOP spending in Texas is on track to approach two hundred million dollars.
House Republicans spending massively
House Republicans have reserved four hundred eighty-five million dollars in ads between August first and Election Day, but only in districts Trump won. Despite the spending, the party faces headwinds from gas prices, the Iran war, and Ukraine.
Trump frustrates party leadership
Speaker Mike Johnson appeared annoyed on Meet the Press when repeatedly asked about Trump's promise to send every American adult a five-thousand-dollar check. Johnson wanted to discuss Republican accomplishments instead.
“I want to talk about what we've actually done and not ideas on the table.”
Strategists fear worse ahead
Republicans have money, recruited solid candidates, and face a divided Democratic party, yet the environment keeps trending bluer. Party strategists worry the trendlines could worsen before Election Day.
“Election Day cannot come quickly enough.”
The big picture
Republicans are preparing for a major electoral defeat, redirecting resources from offensive targets to defensive battles in traditionally red states.
