Daijiworld Media Network - Sioux City
Sioux City, Oct 22: US President Donald Trump is heading to Iowa on Thursday to rally support for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, as rising living costs and voter concerns over his policies threaten the party’s prospects in a state he won by 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Trump will address a rally in Sioux City as Republicans seek to retain a Senate seat, three House districts and the governor’s office. The contests have drawn increased attention as Democrats look to make gains in a state that has increasingly favoured Republicans.
The campaign comes amid disagreements within the Republican Party over the war in Iran, which has contributed to higher fuel prices and added to concerns over the cost of groceries. Several Republican candidates have distanced themselves from Trump’s approach to the conflict.
Republican Representative Ashley Hinson, who is running in a closely contested Senate race against Democratic state Representative Josh Turek, has called for an immediate end to the war, saying Iowans should not have to bear higher fuel and grocery costs because of it.
Republican Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn, both facing challenging re-election contests, also joined Democrats last month in voting to limit Trump’s war powers in Iran.
In the governor’s race, Democrat Rob Sand leads Republican Zach Lahn in recent polling, while Democrats are also targeting an open seat in Iowa’s second congressional district.
Republican setbacks in Iowa could weaken Trump’s influence in a state where his electoral success has helped the party establish a strong position. The Senate and House contests across the country will help determine control of Congress and the president’s ability to advance his agenda during the final two years of his term.
The party is also concerned about support among rural voters, who have been central to Trump’s victories in Iowa. Farmers are facing higher costs and uncertainty over trade policies.
A Marist poll conducted this month found that 42 per cent of likely voters said their financial situation had worsened over the previous year, including more than half of independent voters. The survey also found that 35 per cent viewed their vote as a vote against Trump, while 21 per cent saw it as a vote in his favour.
Iowa is part of Trump’s broader effort to support Republican candidates in states traditionally considered favourable to the party. He campaigned in Kansas on Monday for Republican Senator Roger Marshall and travelled to South Carolina on Wednesday to support Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
Trump is seeking to mobilise supporters who vote for him in presidential elections but may not turn out for midterms. He has urged them to vote as though he himself were on the ballot.
His campaign tour comes as his approval rating has fallen to 31 per cent, its lowest level across his two presidential terms, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday. The survey found that 68 per cent of Americans disapproved of his handling of the economy.
At recent rallies, Trump has largely avoided detailed discussion of the financial pressures facing households. The Iran war has pushed up fuel prices, adding to broader cost-of-living concerns, while the president has repeatedly promised that prices will fall once the conflict ends.
According to people familiar with the matter, Trump has privately questioned campaign spending, criticised redistricting efforts and expressed doubts about candidate choices. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle rejected those characterisations, calling them baseless speculation.
Trump is scheduled to return to Iowa on November 1, two days before Election Day.