Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters on Wednesday forecast that the GOP will retain control of both chambers of Congress after November's midterms, projecting a 220-seat majority in the House and a 53-seat edge in the Senate. Speaking on NewsNation's "The Hill," Gruters expressed confidence in the party's prospects, pointing to a stronger candidate recruitment effort and a financial advantage over Democrats.
"But listen, I would say, 'Bet on us.' If you look at what we've done over the last two years, we have better candidates across the country in both the Senate and the House races, we have a lot more resources to spend," Gruters told host Blake Burman.
Gruters also highlighted former President Donald Trump as a key asset, calling him the party's "secret weapon." He pledged that Trump would barnstorm the country, holding rallies to energize the base and "deliver for the American people."
The RNC chair's bullish outlook comes as recent polling shows Trump's approval rating has dropped to a career low, complicating the party's path to victory. According to Decision Desk HQ, Trump's approval now stands at 37.9 percent, with disapproval at 60.7 percent. The same pollster is currently forecasting that Democrats will win back both the House and the Senate.
Republicans are also grappling with a series of political headwinds, including the ongoing war in Iran and rising living costs. Recent surveys indicate that voters trust Democrats more on key issues such as healthcare and immigration—a shift that could hurt GOP candidates in competitive districts.
Some Republican contenders have begun to distance themselves from Trump as Election Day nears. Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, for instance, removed several references to the former president from his campaign website this week. Similarly, Senate hopefuls Mike Rogers of Michigan and Ashley Hinson of Iowa have publicly broken with Trump over his handling of the Iran conflict.
Despite these defections, Gruters pushed back on the strategy of distancing from Trump, arguing that candidates should embrace the president's policy agenda. "You lean into the policies that this president has pushed, and you'll win," he said. "We think what the president's delivered in terms of messaging standpoint, we think it's a winner."
The tension between Trump and some Republican candidates reflects a broader midterm hangover for the GOP, as the party struggles to balance loyalty to Trump with the need to appeal to swing voters. Meanwhile, Democrats have been gaining ground in House forecasts, with eight seats shifting in their direction in recent weeks.
Gruters, however, remains undeterred, insisting that the party's message and resources will carry the day. "We're going to do lots of rallies," he said, "and we're going to deliver for the American people."
As the campaign season intensifies, the GOP's ability to navigate Trump's polarizing influence and the broader political environment will be put to the test. With control of Congress hanging in the balance, both parties are gearing up for a fierce battle in the coming months.
