Senate GOP Super PAC Chief: Make Midterms 'An Election About Fear' to Stop Democrats

The top Republican super PAC focused on the U.S. Senate is preparing a massive spending blitz to keep the chamber in GOP hands, and its leader says the key to victory is making the 2026 midterm election about fear of a return to Democratic control.

Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has already reserved or spent nearly $215 million on advertising. Its affiliated nonprofit, One Nation, has committed another $53.5 million. Alex Latcham, a longtime operative in President Donald Trump's political orbit who leads both groups, told POLITICO that Republicans need to frame the election as a clear choice between safety and prosperity under GOP leadership or a slide back into the inflation and chaos of the Biden years.

“This needs to be an election about fear in many ways, an election of choices,” Latcham said. “Let's not forget how inflation spiraled out of control to begin with, which was under Joe Biden and Democrat control. It's a very clear binary choice between safety, prosperity, and progress — or a slide back into the horrible years of Joe Biden and Democrat control.”

What States Are Key for Republicans in 2026?

With 22 Republican seats to defend, Latcham identified several offensive opportunities for the GOP, including New Hampshire, Georgia, and Michigan. He also noted that Iowa will be competitive, along with Ohio and Texas, though he expressed confidence that Republicans will hold the majority.

“Republicans will be in the majority next year, and John Thune will be majority leader next year,” Latcham said. “We feel very confident and very bullish about those two things.”

Maine is the only state where a Republican is running in a territory that Kamala Harris won in 2020, making it a top priority for defense.

How Are Republicans Addressing Affordability?

Affordability has emerged as the dominant issue of the midterms. While some conservative groups worry Republicans are losing the messaging war, Latcham pointed to legislative wins under President Trump and contrasted them with Democratic opposition.

“Republicans have delivered legislative wins. The president has delivered some substantive policies to address affordability,” he said. “The Democrats did not. In fact, every Democrat in the Senate voted for the largest tax increase in U.S. history by voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill.”

He urged GOP candidates to campaign on Republican efforts to tackle housing and cost-of-living issues while drawing a sharp contrast with Democratic proposals.

What Role Will President Trump Play?

Latcham expressed confidence that President Trump will be a major asset on the campaign trail, noting his track record of driving voter turnout in the 2018 midterms. He pointed to strategic events already held by the administration, including Vice President JD Vance's appearance in Virginia Beach to support a targeted House race.

“There is no bigger beneficiary of the Republican House and Senate than President Trump,” Latcham said. “I have no doubt that he's going to do everything that he can to ensure that we maintain majorities.”

How Will the Supreme Court's Campaign Finance Ruling Affect Spending?

The Supreme Court recently changed how parties and candidates can coordinate on advertising, potentially giving campaigns access to cheaper television rates. Latcham welcomed the change but said Senate Leadership Fund remains the dominant force in advertising from Labor Day to Election Day.

“We welcome the committee and their campaigns to take on a bigger share of the linear advertising because that's where they see the most cost advantages,” he said. “But there's no organization or entity that is able to bring the type of weight that we are from Labor Day to Election Day.”

SLF made its advertising reservations earlier than ever before to lock in favorable rates before the ruling took effect.

What Does This Mean for Iowa Voters?

For Iowans, the stakes are clear. The state's Senate race is expected to be competitive, and the outcome could determine which party controls the chamber. Latcham's strategy of focusing on fear of Democratic policies and highlighting Republican wins on affordability and tax cuts is designed to resonate with voters who remember the inflation spike under the Biden administration.

With 120 days until the midterms, both parties are gearing up for a high-stakes battle that will shape the direction of the country.