54 Million Votes Cast As Trump Targets Midwest In Final Push

President Donald Trump addressed crowds in Dubuque, Iowa, and Salina, Kansas, on Sunday as the final days of the midterm election campaign unfolded. With more than 54 million votes already cast, the President sought to rally support for Republican candidates facing tight races in both states. These appearances marked the closing stretch of a campaign defined by concerns over the economic impact of his second term and shifting voter sentiment.

The political dynamics have shifted since the 2024 presidential election, when Trump focused on flipping states that previously supported Joe Biden. This year, the President has concentrated his efforts on states where Republicans have historically maintained strong majorities. Voters in these regions are questioning the consequences of tariff policies and the conflict in Iran, creating a defensive posture for the GOP as they work to retain control of the Senate and the House.

During his two-hour speech in Dubuque, Trump declared that Republicans were poised for victory. "We're going to elect ‘America first’ Republicans up and down the line," he told the crowd. The President aimed to energize attendees like Jon Lutz, a 60-year-old civil engineer from Dubuque who attended his first rally on Sunday. Lutz stated that he is satisfied with Trump's record and wants the President to continue his agenda with a Republican-controlled Congress.

In Michigan, Democratic efforts to retake the Senate faced a fracture just days before the election. Haley Stevens, the former Senate primary opponent of Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers. Stevens, a congresswoman who has criticized El-Sayed's stance on Israel, announced her support in a video after stating that a Democratic event invitation was rescinded. "Our Democratic nominee for Senate said I was no longer welcome in his campaign and that I should stay away," Stevens said. "And he’s right. And that’s why I am endorsing Mike Rogers for the United States Senate today."

The endorsement prompted swift reactions from party leaders. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the party remained united in its support for El-Sayed. Kirsten Gillibrand, who leads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said the party would stand firmly behind El-Sayed and reject efforts to divide Democrats. Bernie Sanders, a prominent supporter of El-Sayed, acknowledged Stevens' frustration after her close primary loss but noted that voters in Michigan were standing with El-Sayed.

Michigan is a critical seat for the Democratic strategy to reclaim the Senate. If the party loses that race, it will face increased pressure to win contests in traditionally Republican states such as Texas, Kansas, Ohio, and Iowa. The outcome of the Michigan race will influence the overall balance of power in the Senate and the extent of Republican control in the House.

Republican leaders offered mixed assessments of the campaign's trajectory. Outgoing Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska warned that tariff policies could weigh on the party's chances. "Tariffs are not popular here in the Midwest," Bacon told CNN. "I tried telling the president that." He predicted a debate within the party if significant losses occurred this week. In contrast, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, expressed confidence that Republicans would keep the Senate. Scott stated that the midterm election was a direct referendum on the President's agenda.

Trump paused his rally schedule on Saturday to attend a Halloween event at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. During the event, he described the country as having never done better. On Sunday, he resumed campaigning in the Midwest, where he has held more than two dozen rallies since October. Some of these events were marked by lengthy asides and detailed descriptions of the physical appearance of male politicians he supported. Democrats in Iowa continued their own efforts, with Governor nominee Rob Sand holding multiple events across the state on Sunday.