GOP Attempts To Rally Ahead of Midterms

Former Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel says Republicans have reasons for confidence heading into the November midterm elections, arguing that fundraising strength, economic concerns and voter enthusiasm could help GOP candidates in several closely watched races.

Appearing Monday on Newsmax’s “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” McDaniel said Republicans have accumulated significant financial resources for the closing stretch of the campaign and argued that the party is beginning to narrow political gaps ahead of Election Day.

“The Republicans have so much more money heading into this midterm,” McDaniel said. “We do see Republicans start to shrink these gaps as we head into midterms.”

Her comments come as both parties pour money and resources into congressional races that will determine control of the House and Senate.

McDaniel Points to Republican Fundraising Advantage

Campaign money has become an increasingly important factor as the November 3 election approaches.

Republican-aligned groups have recently increased spending across major House and Senate battlegrounds. GOP organizations spent heavily during the first part of September, giving Republican candidates additional advertising support during the campaign’s final weeks.

McDaniel argued that the financial advantage could help Republicans reach undecided voters and motivate supporters who do not always participate in midterm elections.

She compared the current political environment with the 2018 midterms.

“In 2018, the gap was even wider before Election Day,” McDaniel said, noting that Republicans gained Senate seats that year even as Democrats won control of the House.

McDaniel said she believes Republican candidates are also benefiting from stronger messaging on issues affecting household budgets.

Gas Prices and Cost of Living Move to Center Stage

Energy costs have emerged as a major campaign issue as candidates focus on the financial pressure facing American households.

McDaniel highlighted Republican Senate candidates Mike Rogers in Michigan and Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa, both of whom have proposed steps aimed at reducing fuel costs.

Rogers and Hinson have recently called for measures including relief from fuel taxes as concerns grow over gasoline and diesel prices. The issue has become especially important for farmers, truckers, manufacturers and families who rely heavily on driving.

“That’s the right way to tackle affordability,” McDaniel said.

The debate comes amid elevated energy prices linked in part to disruptions associated with the continuing conflict involving Iran. Candidates from both parties are increasingly emphasizing fuel prices, inflation and the broader cost of living as voters prepare for November.

Republicans have argued that reducing taxes and regulatory costs could provide relief. Democrats have promoted their own economic proposals while criticizing Republican approaches to taxes, healthcare and federal spending.

Those competing arguments are expected to remain central to the campaign.

Michigan Senate Race Draws National Attention

McDaniel also pointed to Michigan, where Republican Mike Rogers is running against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters.

The contest has attracted substantial national spending and attention.

Rogers, a former congressman, has sought support from Republicans, independents and some traditionally Democratic constituencies while emphasizing economic issues, housing and public safety.

El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health director, has campaigned on healthcare, economic reform and progressive policy priorities.

The race has also become a broader battle over the direction of the Democratic Party.

Republicans have repeatedly highlighted El-Sayed’s previous appearances with progressive political streamer Hasan Piker, whose controversial statements about the United States and foreign policy have generated criticism.

El-Sayed has distanced himself from some of Piker’s remarks and said the streamer does not speak for his campaign.

McDaniel argued that controversies involving progressive activists could motivate conservative and Republican voters who might otherwise be less engaged in a midterm election.

Current reporting describes Michigan as one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the 2026 cycle, with significant outside spending already flowing into the state.

McDaniel Defends Trump’s Second-Term Record

McDaniel also praised President Donald Trump’s performance during his second term, particularly on immigration and border security.

“President Trump’s fixed a lot of problems,” McDaniel said.

She argued that voters feel less concerned about border security than they did before the 2024 presidential election and said Republicans should remind voters of the changes enacted since Trump returned to the White House.

Those statements reflect McDaniel’s assessment of the administration.

Immigration remains a major political dividing line. Republicans have generally supported stricter border enforcement and deportation policies, while Democrats have criticized portions of the administration’s immigration agenda and called for different approaches to enforcement and legal immigration.

The economy presents another challenge for both parties.

High fuel costs and persistent affordability concerns have pushed pocketbook issues back to the forefront, giving candidates from both parties an incentive to focus heavily on prices during the campaign’s closing weeks.

GOP Focuses on Trump Voters Who Skip Midterms

McDaniel identified voter turnout as another important factor.

Donald Trump has repeatedly attracted Americans who do not consistently participate in nonpresidential elections. Republicans have therefore spent considerable effort trying to persuade those voters to cast ballots in 2026.

“We’ve seen those Trump die-hard voters kind of sit out these midterms,” McDaniel said.

She argued that disagreements with Democratic candidates and progressive activists could increase Republican enthusiasm this year.

Trump has also taken an active role in the midterm campaign, encouraging supporters to vote and promoting Republican candidates around the country.

Whether presidential-election voters turn out in comparable numbers during a midterm remains an important question for Republican campaigns.

Democrats Make Their Own Case to Voters

Democrats, meanwhile, are attempting to capitalize on voter concerns about healthcare, economic conditions and Trump administration policies.

Prominent Democratic figures have begun campaigning for candidates in competitive states.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, for example, has campaigned with El-Sayed in Michigan as Democrats work to retain the Senate seat currently held by Peters.

Both parties are therefore entering the final campaign stretch with substantial resources and sharply different messages.

Republicans are emphasizing energy costs, immigration, taxes and public safety.

Democrats are emphasizing healthcare, economic policy and opposition to several Trump administration initiatives.

Control of Congress Remains at Stake

The November elections will determine which party controls Congress during the final two years of Trump’s current term.

That gives the results consequences extending well beyond individual congressional districts.

A change in control of either chamber could affect legislation, federal spending, investigations, judicial confirmations and the administration’s ability to advance its agenda.

For that reason, national organizations are investing heavily in competitive races across Michigan, Iowa and other battleground states.

McDaniel believes Republicans are entering that final stretch in a stronger position than some earlier assessments suggested.

“The Democrats are counting on a blue wave that may not materialize,” she said.

That remains McDaniel’s political assessment rather than a settled electoral outcome. With weeks remaining before Election Day, congressional campaigns are continuing to compete for undecided voters and turnout in closely contested states.

For voters, the final phase of the 2026 midterms is increasingly centered on a familiar set of concerns: the cost of living, energy prices, immigration, healthcare and the direction of the country.

The answer will come when voters make their choice on November 3.