Republican strategists warn Trump affiliation may hurt midterm candidates

With less than six weeks before the midterm elections, Republican campaign staff in competitive districts are weighing whether to distance themselves from President Donald Trump, whose approval ratings have fallen below 40 percent in recent polls. Michigan GOP strategist Jason Roe said the political climate is challenging, noting that the elections will serve as a referendum on the current administration and that Trump is "the head of the government."

House Republican Conference chair Lisa McClain told Axios that candidates should prioritize the preferences of their own districts, adding that while unity is ideal, "not all our districts are created equally."

Representative María Salazar criticized Trump’s immigration policies, saying they have alienated Hispanic voters who supported the party in 2024. In Iowa, a Republican source told Politico that Trump’s influence is making traditionally safe seats vulnerable, and Rep. Ashley Hinson warned that the ongoing conflict with Iran could become a political liability.

A Wisconsin-based strategist explained that campaigns must balance personal positioning with alignment to the president, describing the process as determining "where to break."

In the gubernatorial race, former Rep. Tom Tiffany, despite receiving Trump’s endorsement, has publicly diverged from the White House on issues such as the proposed renaming of Lake Ontario and beef tariff relief, and he acknowledged Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.