Georgia Republican Rep. Buddy Carter is pushing back on criticism of the party's midterm strategy, insisting that the GOP has a strong record to run on even as President Trump frames the election as a referendum on his own leadership. In an interview Tuesday with CNN's Jake Tapper, Carter argued that the party's achievements since taking office should be the centerpiece of its campaign message.
"I think he's got the right strategy," Carter said, referring to Trump's approach. "Look, we've got a record to run on. We changed America after the Biden-Harris administration, and we did our job." He pointed to border security, public safety, and economic growth as key accomplishments that Republicans should highlight.
But the interview also touched on a growing political liability: the ongoing U.S. military operation in Iran and its impact on American consumers. A Marquette Law School poll from August found that 75% of respondents did not believe the military actions were "worth the cost." Gas prices have surged, with the national average up more than a dollar per gallon from a year ago, and Georgia drivers have seen a nearly dollar increase in the same period.
Carter acknowledged that fuel costs are "too high," but he defended the administration's policy, saying, "He is making this country safer by making sure that Iran doesn't have a nuclear bomb, by making sure they don't have ballistic missiles that can reach our homeland." He added that these security gains are "vitally important" and should not be overshadowed by economic concerns.
The Georgia lawmaker, who lost a GOP Senate primary to Trump-backed Rep. Mike Collins, also weighed in on the closely watched November matchup between Collins and incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Recent polls show Ossoff with a lead of 4 to 11 points, but Carter predicted the race would tighten. "This race is still gonna tighten up," he said. "I think that this is gonna get tighter as we get closer to Election Day."
Carter's comments come as Republicans face headwinds in the midterms, with split-ticket voting threatening GOP incumbents and Trump's turnout push possibly energizing Democrats. The president has urged Americans to vote as if he were "on the ballot," a strategy that has drawn mixed reviews. Some GOP strategists worry that Trump's polarizing presence could hurt the party in swing districts.
Meanwhile, the White House has defended Trump's recent remarks on Iran, which critics have called inflammatory. The administration insists that the military operation is necessary for national security, even as public opinion sours on the cost. Carter echoed that sentiment, urging voters to keep the bigger picture in mind.
As the election approaches, Republicans are hoping that their legislative record and national security messaging will outweigh voter frustration over rising prices. But with polls showing a competitive landscape, Carter's prediction of a tight race may prove prescient. Other GOP senators, like Thom Tillis, have expressed concern that Trump could lash out if the party loses, adding another layer of uncertainty to the midterm dynamics.
