WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are stepping up their campaign activity as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with both leaders traveling Thursday to heavily Republican areas where GOP candidates are facing more competitive contests than party officials had anticipated.
Trump is traveling to Texas and Oklahoma as part of what he has described as a 32-day campaign push leading up to the November 3 election. Vance, meanwhile, is campaigning in Florida, supporting Republican candidates in races that have drawn increased national attention.
Economic Concerns Add Pressure for Republicans
The campaign push comes as economic concerns remain a major issue for voters.
A new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that just 17% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 26% approve of his handling of the economy overall, according to AP. The figures represent a new low for Trump’s economic approval in the poll.
Trump has argued that Republicans are struggling in part because the administration has not effectively communicated its record.
“We’re not getting the word out,” Trump told reporters Wednesday, according to AP. He said he intends to travel extensively because he believes Republicans need to better communicate their message to voters.
Trump Heads to Oklahoma and Texas
In Oklahoma, Trump is scheduled to campaign alongside Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei, who is running against Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson.
The rally is being held on the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation said it is renting the venue for the event but is not sponsoring Trump’s campaign rally. Principal Chief Gary Batton said he hoped the visit would provide an opportunity for people to learn more about the tribe and its sovereignty.
Trump’s Oklahoma appearance also has implications beyond the state because the event is near the Texas border and could reach voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth media market.
Before traveling to Oklahoma, Trump is visiting a truck manufacturing facility in Texas, where he is expected to campaign alongside Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
Paxton is facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, which has attracted significant national attention. Reuters reported that Texas is among the Senate contests considered competitive this election cycle.
Vance Campaigns in Florida
While Trump travels through Texas and Oklahoma, Vance is campaigning in central Florida with Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds.
Vance’s appearance in Lakeland follows his campaign stop in Texas, where he appeared with Republican House candidate Eric Flores in a competitive South Texas race.
During his Texas appearance, Vance acknowledged frustration over high prices but argued that the administration was working to address economic problems inherited from the previous administration.
Donalds is running against David Jolly, a former Republican congressman who is now running as a Democrat. Economic affordability and concerns surrounding artificial-intelligence data centers have emerged as issues in the Florida campaign, according to AP.
Democrats and Republicans Offer Different Interpretations
Republican officials say Trump’s campaign schedule is designed to energize GOP voters and help candidates across the country.
Republican National Committee spokesperson Delanie Bomar said Trump is traveling extensively to support candidates and motivate the party’s base.
Democratic officials have characterized the campaign activity differently. Democratic National Committee spokesperson Kendall Witmer argued that Trump and Vance are trying to rally Republican voters as the election approaches, while Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donohoe criticized Trump’s Oklahoma appearance and described the Oklahoma governor’s race as increasingly competitive. These are partisan assessments rather than independent measurements of the races.
Trump Plans an Extensive Campaign Schedule
Trump is expected to continue campaigning frequently in the weeks ahead.
According to AP, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told Republican senators that Trump would undertake an extensive, near-daily campaign schedule ahead of the November 3 midterms.
His announced itinerary includes additional stops in Ohio and Nebraska, following the Texas and Oklahoma appearances. Trump is also scheduled to campaign in Alabama, where he is expected to support Republican candidates.
The decision to begin the campaign push in strongly Republican states highlights the party’s effort to maintain enthusiasm among its core voters while also supporting candidates facing more competitive races.
As Election Day approaches, economic concerns, affordability, foreign policy and the role of Trump in Republican campaigns are expected to remain important issues in races across the country.