President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE is set to embark on a campaign blitz in the final week before the midterm elections, traveling to eight states to provide a last-minute boost to GOP candidates in key races, the White House announced Monday.
The president will hold 11 campaign events in six days beginning Wednesday, including stops in Florida, Montana, Indiana, Missouri and other battleground states that will determine control of the Senate.
Following a previously announced rally on Wednesday in Florida for gubernatorial candidate former Rep. Ron DeSantisRonald Dion DeSantisGOP tentatively decides on Jacksonville for site of convention DeSantis pushing to host Republican National Convention in Florida Florida bars and theaters to reopen starting Friday, DeSantis says MORE (R), Trump will head to Columbia, Mo., on Thursday where Senate candidate Josh Hawley, the state attorney general, is aiming to unseat Sen. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillMissouri county issues travel advisory for Lake of the Ozarks after Memorial Day parties Senate faces protracted floor fight over judges amid pandemic safety concerns Amash on eyeing presidential bid: ‘Millions of Americans’ want someone other than Trump, Biden MORE (D).
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The president will begin the day on Friday in Huntington, W.Va., where state attorney Patrick Morrisey is challenging Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump administration seeks to use global aid for nuclear projects Shelley Moore Capito wins Senate primary West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wins GOP gubernatorial primary MORE (D). Trump will then travel to Indianapolis, Ind., to boost former state lawmaker Mike Braun in his bid against Sen. Joe DonnellyJoseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyEx-Sen. Joe Donnelly endorses Biden Lobbying world 70 former senators propose bipartisan caucus for incumbents MORE (D).
Trump will spend the first part of the day Saturday in Bozeman, Mont., returning to the state for a third time since Labor Day to bolster state auditor Matt Rosendale’s campaign against Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterSenate confirms Trump’s watchdog for coronavirus funds Montana barrels toward blockbuster Senate fight The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip MORE (D).
The president will jet off to Pensacola, Fla., later in the day for another rally in support of DeSantis in his race against Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D). Trump has backed Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) in his Senate race against Sen. Bill NelsonClarence (Bill) William NelsonNASA, SpaceX and the private-public partnership that caused the flight of the Crew Dragon Lobbying world The most expensive congressional races of the last decade MORE (D) as well, but Scott has yet to appear at a campaign rally with the president.
Sunday will see Trump make stops in Macon, Ga., to back gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp (R) in his contest against Democrat Stacey Abrams, as well as Chattanooga, Tenn., where he will urge support for Rep. Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnGOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police GOP senators dodge on treatment of White House protesters Five things to know about Trump’s legal power under the Insurrection Act MORE (R) in her race against former Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) to replace retiring Sen. Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP lawmakers stick to Trump amid new criticism Trump asserts his power over Republicans Romney is only GOP senator not on new White House coronavirus task force MORE (R).
Trump will make three stops on the final day before Election Day. He will head to Cleveland to back gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine (R) against Richard CordrayRichard Adams CordrayPoll: Biden, Trump neck and neck in Ohio On The Money: Trump officials struggle to get relief loans out the door | Dow soars more than 1600 points | Kudlow says officials ‘looking at’ offering coronavirus bonds Ex-CFPB director urges agency to ‘act immediately’ to help consumers during pandemic MORE (D), followed by a return trip to Indiana and another stop in Missouri.
While Kemp and DeSantis are candidates closely tied to Trump locked in heated gubernatorial races, the other contests focus on swing Senate contests. All but the open Tennessee race features a Democratic incumbent running for reelection in a state Trump won in 2016.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election forecaster, rates the Montana, Missouri, Indiana, Florida and Tennessee races as “toss-ups.”
The West Virginia race “leans Democratic,” according to the Cook Political Report.
The president has been in full-on campaign mode over the past month, holding 15 political rallies since Oct. 1. The events largely follow the same script, with Trump tearing into Democrats, the media and his critics while touting the economy, and warning of elevated crime and illegal immigration if the GOP loses its congressional majorities.
Trump’s campaign rally rhetoric has been the subject of scrutiny in the aftermath of a violent week that saw men arrested for mailing pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and for killing 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue.
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The president has rejected calls to temper his tone at such rallies, where he frequently derides the media and rips his Democratic critics. The events are often marked by chants of “CNN sucks” and “lock her up,” the latter referring to former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE.
“I think I’ve been toned down, if you want to know the truth,” Trump told reporters last week before leaving for a rally in North Carolina.
As Trump travels the campaign trail, prominent Democrats including former President Obama and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE have made separate trips to Nevada, Wisconsin, Florida and Georgia to boost Democratic turnout in hotly contested races.
Republicans are seeking to hold on to their majorities in the Senate and House, though Democrats have expressed optimism that they will retake control of the latter. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats to take the majority in the House, and must gain two seats in the Senate to secure a majority.
A full list of Trump’s remaining campaign rallies announced so far:
Oct. 31: Fort Myers, Fla. (Ron DeSantis – governor/Rick Scott – Senate)Nov. 1: Columbia, Mo. (Josh Hawley – Senate)Nov. 2: Huntington, W.Va. (Patrick Morrisey – Senate/Carol Miller – House) and Indianapolis, Ind. (Mike Braun – Senate)Nov. 3: Bozeman, Mont. (Matt Rosendale – Senate/Rep. Greg GianforteGregory Richard GianforteKathleen Williams, Matt Rosendale to face off for Montana House seat Gianforte wins Montana gubernatorial primary Key races to watch in Tuesday’s primaries MORE (R) – House) and Pensacola, Fla. (DeSantis/Scott)Nov. 4: Macon, Ga. (Brian Kemp – governor) and Chattanooga, Tenn. (Marsha Blackburn – Senate)Nov. 5: Cleveland, Ohio (Mike DeWine – governor), Fort Wayne, Ind. (Braun) and Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Hawley)
-Updated 9:45 p.m.