President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Sioux City on Thursday as Iowa Republicans defend a Senate seat, three House districts and the governor's office in the November 3 midterm elections, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The visit comes at an uneasy moment for the party in a state Trump carried by 13 percentage points just two years ago. His approval rating has slipped to 31 percent, the lowest of either term, and some Iowa Republicans on the ballot have publicly broken with him over the Iran war.
High Stakes Across the Iowa Ballot
Republicans are working to hold Representative Ashley Hinson's Senate seat against Democratic state Representative Josh Turek, along with the House seats held by Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn and an open seat in Iowa's second congressional district. At the top of the ticket, Democrat Rob Sand leads Republican Zach Lahn in recent polling for governor.
The results could help decide control of Congress and shape Trump's ability to advance his agenda during his final two years in office, Reuters reported.
Iowa Republicans Split With Trump Over Iran War
Hinson, locked in a close race with Turek, has called for an immediate end to the war, saying Iowans should not have to bear higher fuel and grocery prices because of it.
Miller-Meeks and Nunn, both facing difficult reelection campaigns, joined Democrats last month in voting to limit Trump's war powers in Iran. The break reflects the pressure that rising gas prices and broader cost-of-living concerns are putting on incumbents in both parties.
Trump has repeatedly promised that prices will fall once the conflict ends, though his recent rally speeches have largely steered around the financial strain many households are feeling.
Rural Voters and Farm Economy in Focus
Republicans are also watching rural Iowa, where farmers are contending with higher costs and trade uncertainty. A Marist poll conducted this month found that 42 percent of likely voters said their finances had worsened over the past year, including more than half of independents.
The same survey found that 35 percent of likely voters view their ballot as a vote against Trump, versus 21 percent who see it as a vote for him, according to Yahoo News.
Those numbers matter because rural voters powered Trump's Iowa victories, and the party's task now is turning out supporters who show up for presidential contests but may stay home when he is not on the ballot. Trump has urged them to vote as though he were running.
Trump Questions Campaign Strategy Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, Trump has questioned campaign spending, criticized redistricting efforts and second-guessed candidate choices, according to people familiar with the matter. White House spokesman Davis Ingle pushed back on those characterizations, calling them armchair speculation.
Publicly, Trump has acknowledged the historical tendency of a president's party to lose seats in midterm elections.
Part of a Broader Swing Through Red States
Iowa is one stop in a larger push through states Republicans usually count on. Trump campaigned in Kansas on Monday for Senator Roger Marshall and traveled to South Carolina on Wednesday for Senator Darline Graham, The Detroit News reported.
His approval rating stands at 31 percent, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday, with 68 percent of Americans disapproving of his handling of the economy.
Trump is scheduled to return to Iowa on November 1, two days before Election Day.
FAQ
When is Trump's Sioux City rally?
Trump will hold the rally in Sioux City on Thursday, October 23, and he is scheduled to return to Iowa on November 1.
Which Iowa races are Republicans defending?
The party is defending a Senate seat held by Ashley Hinson, three House districts and the governor's office, where Republican Zach Lahn faces Democrat Rob Sand.
What is Trump's current approval rating?
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday put his approval at 31 percent, the lowest of either presidential term.
How do Iowa voters feel about the economy?
A Marist poll this month found 42 percent of likely voters said their finances had worsened over the past year.