With the midterm elections just over three weeks away, Republican candidates in key Senate and governor races are taking varied stances on President Donald Trump. Some are distancing themselves from Trump and his policies, while others are embracing them. Trump's approval rating has plummeted to a second-term low, with only 30% of Americans approving of his performance, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. This marks a 4 percentage point drop since July, and it closely mirrors the 29% approval rating he hit after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
In Maine, GOP Sen. Susan Collins highlighted her record of voting against Trump during her debates with Democrat Troy Jackson. Collins emphasized that she has voted against Trump 137 times this year alone and has a 91% voting alignment with President Biden. She also expressed her disapproval of the war in Iran, calling it 'not well thought out' and criticizing its impact on global oil prices. Additionally, Collins opposed Trump's tariffs on Canada, a country deeply intertwined with Maine's economy.
In Michigan's gubernatorial debate, Republican candidate Rep. John James called for an immediate end to the Iran war, stating that 'the war in Iran needs to be over yesterday.' Meanwhile, in Georgia, GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, who once campaigned as 'Trump’s favorite governor,' distanced himself from the president during his debate. Jackson aligned himself with popular two-term GOP Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, emphasizing his independence and prioritization of Georgians over partisan loyalty.
While some Republicans sought to distance themselves from Trump, Georgia GOP Senate candidate Mike Collins firmly supported Trump's actions regarding the Iran war. During his debate, Collins defended Trump's decision to intervene in Iran, stating that the president 'had every right to go in there and make sure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon.'