Trump Rallies in Iowa, Kansas as Tight Senate Races Loom

With just two days until the 2026 midterm elections, President Donald Trump has embarked on a final push of campaign rallies in states like Iowa, Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina, urging voters to treat the contests as a referendum on his own record. Yet recent polling averages continue to show Democrats holding a clear national advantage, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the economy and the president's leadership.

The latest RealClearPolling average puts Democrats ahead of Republicans by 51.5 percent to 43.1 percent. A national THP/MM survey conducted October 28 and 29 showed an even wider gap, with Democrats at 54 percent and Republicans at 41 percent. An Emerson College poll from late October similarly found a 10-point Democratic edge. Analysts attribute the numbers to voter frustration over high living costs, which have been worsened by tariffs and the ongoing costs tied to the US role in the conflict with Iran.

Trump has held more than 25 rallies in October alone, many in Republican-leaning states where GOP candidates face stiff headwinds. At events in South Carolina and elsewhere, he has compared his crowd sizes to those of past campaigns and reflected on the rallies themselves, telling supporters they will never see the like again. The president has also asked audiences to view the midterms as if he were on the ballot, a plea that underscores the challenges facing Republican candidates he has endorsed, including Senate hopefuls in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Democratic candidates have performed strongly in off-year and special elections throughout the cycle, a trend that aligns with the current polling. Public sentiment appears shaped by the pinch of inflation and broader economic pressures that voters associate with Republican governance over the past two years. In Michigan, Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed has continued his events despite a surge in Islamophobic attacks, highlighting how identity-based appeals are surfacing in key races.

Republicans, for their part, have pointed to border security and other traditional issues in an effort to close the gap. Yet the fundamentals, including the president's unpopularity and the tangible effects of policy decisions on household budgets, have left many races competitive or tilting toward Democrats. Senate control could hinge on a handful of tight contests where turnout and enthusiasm will be decisive.

As the final weekend of campaigning unfolds, the contrast between Trump's energetic schedule and the steady polling lead for Democrats illustrates the difficult environment Republicans confront heading into Tuesday.