Trump swaps phone-ins for in-person rallies in Iowa and Kansas as early voting surges
The president reversed plans for a remote campaign sprint to attend two key state events, citing requests from local allies and a sharp rise in advance ballots.
By Arjun Weber ·
Voters in Iowa and Kansas will hear President Donald Trump speak in person this Sunday, a change that places the president directly in two states with tight Senate races. The shift comes after the White House initially planned for the president to conduct a series of remote phone rallies from Washington. This last-minute adjustment aims to boost Republican turnout in the final days before the general election.
The president reversed course after receiving calls from supporters in the two states. Trump told reporters that his friends in Iowa and Kansas advised him that an in-person appearance would be more effective than a remote broadcast. He stated that if he could attend, he would be better than a telerally. The decision replaces a planned 72-hour sprint of phone events that the Republican National Committee had designed to reach a wider national audience.
Early voting numbers show a sharp increase compared to the 2022 midterm cycle. An Associated Press analysis indicates that nearly 10 million more Americans cast ballots five days before Election Day this year than at the same point four years ago. The surge is particularly strong in states with competitive Senate contests. In Iowa and Kansas, early voting is up by approximately 30 percent from the same period in 2022.
Texas is seeing the largest absolute gains. More than 6.3 million Texans had voted early as of Wednesday, a 50 percent jump from the 4.2 million who had voted by that point in 2022. South Carolina, which is electing a successor to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, reports an 83 percent increase in advance ballots. Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, and Kansas all show increases of more than 30 percent.
Trump’s schedule for the weekend remained fluid until Friday. His Iowa stop was moved from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids before shifting back to Dubuque hours later. A person familiar with the planning said the location changes reflected ongoing adjustments. The RNC confirmed the final itinerary: Trump will campaign in Dubuque, Iowa, and Salina, Kansas.
The president has already visited both states this month. In Kansas, he is campaigning for Sen. Roger Marshall, who is seeking reelection. Trump described Marshall as fantastic and credited the senator for pushing administration policies that benefit Kansas farmers, including the expansion of tax-free use of red-dyed diesel. In Iowa, Trump is supporting Ashley Hinson, a House member running for the Senate.
Trump dismissed concerns about his energy levels on Thursday. He rejected the idea that his initial cancellation of the Kansas rally was due to fatigue or health issues. Speaking to a reporter, the president said he does not feel he has to go to Kansas because Marshall is doing very well. He added that he feels perfect.
The Senate races in these states will help determine if Republicans maintain their narrow majority in the chamber. Republicans have expressed concern that high costs and voter dissatisfaction with Trump could suppress turnout. Democrats have focused their campaigns on affordability, a theme that has driven much of the election discourse. Both parties believe the surge in early voting favors their respective candidates.
Trump criticized Marshall’s Democratic challenger, Adam Hamilton, a Methodist pastor. Trump called Hamilton a radical who has caused turmoil in the church due to his liberal views. Hamilton responded by suggesting that if Jesus were present now, Marshall would label him woke. The candidates continue to debate the direction of the party and the issues facing voters.
Trump also addressed a contentious issue in Michigan’s Senate race. Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Democratic primary to Abdul El-Sayed in August, has reemerged in the final week. Stevens, who is engaged to a man voting for the Republican candidate, Mike Rogers, released a statement criticizing El-Sayed. She urged him to condemn an ad linking U.S. support for Israel to rising grocery prices. Stevens wrote that El-Sayed can begin getting Israel out of his explanation for everything Michigan cannot afford.
