Republican candidates distance themselves from President Trump ahead of midterms
As the 2025 midterm elections approach, several GOP officeholders are publicly separating from President Trump on issues such as offshore wind, data centers, and the Iran conflict, while the party leadership maintains overall support for his agenda.
With three weeks left before the 2025 midterm elections, a number of Republican officeholders are emphasizing their independence from President Donald Trump on specific policy issues. Veteran GOP strategist Doug Heye told Fox News Digital that such a shift is typical in midterm cycles when a president’s popularity wanes, adding that “the more outlandish things he’s done … this was bound to happen.”
House members Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia and Rep. Mike Lawler of New York have run advertisements highlighting their bipartisan records and noting disagreements with Trump, including a reference to Kiggans “buck[ing] Trump on offshore wind.” Lawler’s ad featured a clip of Trump calling him a “pain in the a--” over state and local tax deduction matters.
RNC spokeswoman Natalie Baldessarre said the party remains united behind the president’s agenda of tax cuts, lower drug costs and community security, while acknowledging that individual candidates have distinct stakes in their races.
Some Republicans are also breaking with Trump on foreign policy and technology issues. Rep. Tom Barrett of Michigan and Sen. John Husted of Ohio have called for a moratorium on data-center construction pending local input, contrasting with Trump’s statement that opposition to data centers signals “backwards and poor” communities. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan echoed this view, urging voter-driven decisions rather than a federal ban.
On the Iran conflict, several GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks of Iowa and Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, have voted against continued U.S. involvement without congressional approval, arguing that a diplomatic solution is unlikely.
Other candidates, such as Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey, have omitted references to Trump from their campaign materials, presenting themselves as independent leaders.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle reiterated the administration’s position that President Trump remains the central figure of the Republican Party and highlighted his policy achievements, while acknowledging the ongoing electoral competition with Democrats.