Thune crisscrosses swing states to boost GOP Senate hopefuls ahead of midterms
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is touring key battleground states, campaigning with Republican Senate candidates to help preserve the GOP majority in the upcoming midterm elections.
In the weeks before the November 3 midterms, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has embarked on a cross-country campaign, meeting Republican Senate hopefuls in Iowa, Nebraska, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota, and planning a stop in Ohio to support Sen. Jon Husted. In Sioux City, Thune joined Rep. Ashley Hinson at a chamber of commerce luncheon, toured an Air National Guard refueling wing and attended a high-school football rally, declaring that her victory is essential for the GOP majority.
He acknowledged the party’s difficult environment, citing criticism from the base and President Donald Trump over the stalled SAVE America Act and the filibuster, while urging voters to choose between “two very different paths.” Democrats, including Josh Turek in Iowa, are hopeful of flipping seats as voters express frustration over the war in Iran, high fuel and grocery costs, and Trump’s policies. Thune remains backed by Senate colleagues and plans to push AI guardrails, housing, tax and permitting reforms if Republicans retain control, warning that a Democratic win would lead to two years of paralysis.
Why it matters
Control of the Senate will determine the direction of U.S. voting laws, economic policy and foreign-policy decisions.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Collins holds narrow lead over Jackson in latest Maine Senate poll
- Oct 16 Donald Trump will travel to Georgia on Friday to campaign alongside Republican Senate and governor candidates, underscoring both party unity and internal divisions.
- Oct 20 The candidates faced their final televised debate, during which a protester was removed after interrupting the event.
- Oct 21 Trump scheduled a Texas rally on Oct 27 and began a bus tour to boost Paxton’s campaign.
- Oct 21 Donald Trump will appear in South Carolina on Wednesday to campaign for Republican Sen. Darline Graham, who is facing Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in a close contest.
- Oct 21 Talarico released new TV ads focusing on border security and data‑center tax breaks.
- Oct 22 The candidates faced off in the only televised forum to date.
- Oct 22 The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent Alaska from certifying its Senate results if incumbent Dan Sullivan loses, arguing that a challenger sharing his name was entered to mislead voters.
- Oct 22 Evander Holyfield will accompany Trump at the South Carolina rally supporting Darline Graham.
- Oct 23 Musk injected $77 million into America PAC in early October, raising his total contributions for the cycle.
- Oct 23 Alaska Supreme Court upheld Daniel J. Sullivan’s placement on the ballot after a lower‑court ruling.
- Oct 24 Brown’s candidacy adds a third‑party perspective to the Texas Senate contest.
- Oct 24 Voters and advocacy groups filed a motion to dismiss the Justice Department’s complaint.
- Oct 26 Trump’s Friday rally in Dalton was set for 3 p.m. EDT.
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