Republicans Embrace Trump to Boost Midterm Turnout

Facing a expected Democratic surge in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, a number of Republican lawmakers in competitive House districts are deliberately inviting former President Donald Trump to campaign in their areas. Despite Trump's average approval rating hovering around 40 %, party strategists view his popularity with the GOP base as a tool to increase voter turnout and offset the historical disadvantage that the president’s party faces in midterms.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania, who flipped a House seat in 2024, said Trump's presence helped drive Republican turnout. Trump has also been campaigning for other vulnerable Republicans, including Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn and Rep. Mariannette Miller‑Meeks, while some, such as Rep. Mike Lawler of New York, tread a cautious line between supporting their constituents and acknowledging the president’s divisiveness.