Trump back on the road as analysts see more congressional races shifting in Dems’ favor

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has a flurry of travel on deck in the final frantic weeks leading up to the end of the midterm elections, in which the GOP is vying to maintain its control of both the U.S. House and Senate.

But that outlook looks increasingly less favorable for Republicans, as analysts say Democrats remain heavily favored to win back the majority in the House, and Senate races continue to shift in the Democratic Party’s favor. 

Adding to the trend, the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, an elections forecaster, shifted 11 additional House races in the direction of Democrats on Friday — in congressional districts in Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio and South Carolina.

The political report also currently lists seven Senate toss-up races, including in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. 

Those shifts come as the president weathers dismal approval ratings amid the costly war in Iran and its impact on gas prices. As of Oct. 16, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas stood at $4.33, according to AAA. A year ago, that figure stood at about $3.06.

Meanwhile, the most recent Federal Election Commission filings that were due Oct. 15 offer the financial snapshots for campaigns, including in the closely watched Senate race in Maine, where GOP Sen. Susan Collins is defending her seat against Democratic nominee Troy Jackson. 

Jackson raised four times as much as Collins since July, though the Democratic nominee now has less cash left than Collins, Maine Morning Star reported. 

Trump’s travel has ramped up since Oct. 1. As Election Day on Nov. 3 rapidly approaches, here’s a snapshot of Trump’s travel in the coming days: 

• Trump was slated to speak Friday afternoon at a rally in Dalton, Georgia. The area is friendly turf for the president after he won almost 72% of the vote in 2024 in the broader Whitfield County, in which Dalton is the county seat, the Georgia Recorder reported. 
   
• On Saturday, Trump is set to rally in Highland Heights, Kentucky, part of the Bluegrass State’s 4th Congressional District, where Republican Ed Gallrein faces Democrat Melissa Strange. The Cook Political Report lists that race as “solid Republican.” 
   
• Trump’s midterm travels pick back up Monday, when the president will hold a rally in Park City, Kansas, a suburb of Wichita. The ruby red state features an unexpectedly competitive Senate race, as GOP Sen. Roger Marshall vies for another term against Democrat Adam Hamilton. The Cook Political Report lists the Senate race in Kansas as a toss-up. 
   
• On Tuesday, Trump will rally in Greenville, North Carolina, where the Tar Heel State’s open Senate race is listed as “likely Democrat,” per the Cook Political Report. Michael Whatley, the GOP candidate, is up against Democratic former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
   
• Trump will then go to Clemson, South Carolina, on Wednesday and rally for GOP Sen. Darline Graham, who was appointed in July to serve out the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s term. Graham is facing Democrat Annie Andrews in a race that the Cook Political Report lists as “likely Republican.” 
   
• The president will then make his way to Sioux City, Iowa, on Thursday, as the Hawkeye State holds several highly contested races, including an open Senate race between Republican Ashley Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek that the Cook Political Report has dubbed a toss-up.
   
• Trump is also slated to return to Iowa on Nov. 1, just two days before Election Day, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.
   
• After his Oct. 22 appearance in Iowa, Trump will then head to Fort Myers, Florida, for a rally on Friday, Oct. 23.