Vance Campaigns Across Midwest as GOP Defends Seats

Vice President JD Vance is campaigning across the Midwest as Republicans defend competitive races ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. At a Republican National Committee rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, he promoted President Donald Trump’s record on immigration, jobs, taxes and trade, endorsed gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn, congressional candidate Chris McGowan and other Republican candidates, and urged supporters not to be discouraged by close polls. Democrats criticized the rally over the Republican agenda and rising health-care, grocery and gas costs. In Kansas, Vance backed Republican Sen. Roger Marshall against Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton, whose profile as a prominent pastor and voter dissatisfaction with Marshall, Trump’s policies, economic conditions and the war with Iran have made the race unusually competitive despite Trump’s 16-point 2024 victory in the state. Vance’s broader tour also includes Missouri and support for a Nebraska House candidate, while Republicans seek to protect a toss-up Iowa Senate race and three competitive House seats; the campaign comes as Trump plans an appearance in North Carolina and the party faces a midterm map increasingly favorable to Democrats.