Reuters: 41 of 62 battleground Republican candidates distance themselves from Trump

With the US midterm elections set for November 3, Reuters reported on October 7 that 41 of the Republican candidates in 62 competitive House and Senate races, about two-thirds, are distancing themselves from President Donald Trump on policy or scaling back ties with him. CBS NoCut News said Reuters based the finding on the candidates' congressional votes, public statements and campaign materials. According to Hankook Ilbo, 12 of the 41 removed Trump's photo, name and endorsement wording from their official campaign websites right after securing their nominations in primaries. [ 1 , 2 ]

CBS NoCut News cited a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 6 that put Trump's approval at 32%, the lowest across his first and second terms, with Democrats at 44% party support against 37% for Republicans, and 37% against 21% among undecided voters. Maeil Business reported that a recent poll showed Democratic candidates 6 percentage points ahead. Hankook Ilbo linked Trump's approval of around 30% to gasoline prices and high prices since the start of his second term and to the effects of the Iran war. Reuters added that the candidates criticise or differ with Trump on individual issues such as the Iran war rather than rejecting his broad agenda, CBS NoCut News reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]

In Michigan, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said in a campaign ad released a day before his first TV debate that people in Michigan know Canada is not our enemy and that "this tariff war must end now." Hankook Ilbo reported that the Trump administration imposed 50% retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods this summer, hurting Michigan, for which Canada accounts for 36% of exports, and that 42% of Michigan voters in a September poll said their vote would be a vote against Trump. In Maine, Senator Susan Collins said in a debate with her Democratic opponent that she did not think Trump would come, although Trump has pledged to visit 35 battlegrounds himself. [ 2 ]

Trump visited San Antonio on October 7 to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton at a rally at the Freeman Coliseum, his third visit to Texas within a month. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican seeking a fourth term, did not attend, citing another schedule. Hankook Ilbo, citing Axios and other outlets, reported that Paxton recently told donors that the Iran war and high gasoline prices were hurting the election and that support fell after a "Trump convention" in Dallas last month. The two shook hands at the rally, and Trump called Paxton "a great person." Protesters against Trump chanted slogans in San Antonio. Maeil Business said Texas is now classed as a closely contested state and that Trump and his party are using large funding and cash support measures to rally their base. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]

The New York Times said empty seats at Trump's rallies suggest his brand power has fallen among his supporters, CBS NoCut News reported. CNN said many Republicans now see his large rallies as doing more harm than good, and that if the president loses his grip on party figures, little will be left for him after the election. [ 1 , 2 ]