Vulnerable Republicans Chase Trump Boost Despite November Risks

Vulnerable House Republicans who have yet to survive a primary are embracing President Donald Trump on the campaign trail, despite the potential consequences in November of tying themselves to an unpopular president.

Trump has proven in recent weeks by ousting Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Cornyn the power his endorsement still carries in an all-Republican contest, despite his approval rating sinking to the lowest point of his presidency. On the back of that, some Republicans in purple districts are counting on the president’s backing now being worth any political cost that may come their way — and even calling on him to campaign in their districts.

“President Trump is wildly popular in my district,” said Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.). “I’d love to have him back. I want him to come back to Wisconsin, as always.”

Van Orden is facing a rematch against Democrat Rebecca Cooke in a district targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who campaigned with Vice President JD Vance earlier this month, said Trump coming to his district is a way for him to promote popular GOP policies like tax cuts.

“There’s no larger mouthpiece in the world than the president to highlight what we’re doing right,” Nunn said.

Motivating Factor

The White House asserted Republicans will not run away from Trump, and defended the president’s ability to draw a clear contrast between Republicans and Democrats.

“President Trump is the Republicans’ best messenger and motivator,” said Olivia Wales, White House spokesperson. “In the months ahead, President Trump will continue fighting to lower costs for working families while traveling across the country to highlight his accomplishments.”

Trump joined Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) —a top target for Democrats this cycle— last week to tout his affordability agenda, where he credited the congressman for helping pass legislation to extend his tax cuts.

Lawler tied his performance in Congress to Trump, saying that the president helped get wins across the line for his constituents.

“On behalf of the people in the 17th congressional district, I want to thank you for working with me to deliver a big win by lifting the cap on SALT,” Lawler said at a rally in Rockland County, New York. “Over 90% of my constituents were able to deduct their state and local taxes.”

Joe Walsh, a political science professor at American University, said vulnerable Republicans are smart to stick by Trump’s side until the primaries are cleared, given the potential damage an anti-endorsement can cause.

“It’s pretty powerful,” Walsh said of Trump’s endorsement, adding: “We’ve seen what happens with Thomas Massie and others” when someone goes against Trump before winning a primary.

However, Walsh said Trump’s backing is a double-edged sword.

“If you’re a Republican on the ballot, you have no chance of winning without the base coming out to support you, but the risk is if you’re in a purple district, you are activating now almost two to one people who are opposed to Trump,” he said.

Treading Cautiously

Despite Trump’s winning streak in primary races in Indiana, Louisiana, and Kentucky, some Republicans are concerned the president will hurt the party in November.

“In every election, the midterms are always a reflection of the popularity of the president. Every time,” Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-Texas) said. “I wouldn’t want to be any of the Republicans in Iowa because all of their districts are a lot tighter than ours are in Texas, even after the redistricting.”

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who isn’t running for reelection but successfully won his purple district five times, said he would argue against candidates changing their positions based on their primary prospects.

Bacon also said he disagreed with Trump’s approach to use his influence to sway primaries that could affect the general election.

“The president’s wrong to go after some members of Congress,” Bacon said. “We all got different districts.”

Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), who is running for governor this cycle, said he thinks he can win without Trump’s endorsement due to his record. Trump has endorsed Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) for governor, rather than Schweikert.

“There’s a difference between having the endorsement, not having the endorsement, and being a target,” Schweikert said. “If you’re going to take Louisiana and Kentucky, that wasn’t an issue about having an endorsement. That was being a target.”

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), who is being targeted by the DCCC this cycle too, defended Trump’s record of winning his district three times, but stopped short of requesting Trump to campaign for him.

“He’s got a lot of things to focus on, but his schedule is up to him,” LaLota said.

Blue Campaign Issue

Meanwhile, the DCCC has sought to tie vulnerable Republicans to Trump, especially while the president struggles with polling.

“Every time vulnerable Republicans fall in line behind Trump by rubberstamping toxic issues like the war, price-hiking tariffs, and a billion dollar ballroom, they are reminding voters that they don’t give a damn about the American people,” said Viet Shelton, DCCC spokesperson.

Shelton added people are upset “Republicans won’t do a thing to lower costs, and it’s going to be a huge motivator for voters in November.”