GOP scrambles to stop steep midterm losses

Key Points:

• The Republican Party is urgently reallocating resources to defend traditionally safe seats in battleground states, fearing losses that could cost them control of Congress just three weeks before the midterm elections.
• President Donald Trump's declining popularity has led some GOP officials to worry that his campaign appearances may hurt rather than help Republican candidates in certain races.
• Despite a significant cash advantage and heavy spending by pro-Trump super PACs, Republicans face a challenging landscape with polling showing potential losses in both the House and Senate, prompting a focus on winnable races and cutting support for weaker candidates.
• Key GOP Senate races in states like Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina require substantial investment, while vulnerable incumbents face tough challenges from Democrats in traditionally red states.
• While Republicans remain cautiously optimistic about limiting losses and turning out their base, internal assessments acknowledge a difficult environment, with campaigns increasingly centered on individual candidates’ efforts to connect with voters amid widespread frustration over economic issues and the Iran war.