President Trump is set to headline campaign rallies in two reliably Republican states next week, a move that underscores the party's struggles in competitive races just over a month before the November midterms.
Trump will appear in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday, followed by a Friday evening event in Mobile, Alabama. Both states delivered landslide victories for the president in 2024—Oklahoma by 34 points and Alabama by 30 points—and their gubernatorial and Senate contests are widely considered safe for the GOP.
The rallies will take place in districts that are equally secure for Republicans: Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District and Alabama's 1st Congressional District. Durant and Mobile are the largest cities in those districts, respectively.
Shift in battleground ratings
The decision to focus on deep-red territory comes as several toss-up races move in favor of Democrats. On Tuesday, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report adjusted its ratings for two Senate races, signaling a more competitive landscape.
In Kansas, the race for incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall (R) shifted from "likely Republican" to "lean Republican." Meanwhile, South Carolina's Senate contest—featuring Republican Sen. Darline Graham—moved from "solid Republican" to "likely Republican." These changes suggest that even traditionally conservative states are not immune to the current political headwinds.
Trump's travel schedule aligns with his earlier promise to visit 35 key midterm battlegrounds in the 30 days leading up to the election. He has also indicated he would go as far as Alaska to campaign for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R), whose race is seen as crucial for the GOP's Senate majority hopes.
Despite widespread polling that shows Trump's approval rating at historic lows, Republican strategists maintain that the president remains the party's most effective tool for driving base turnout. "He energizes the voters we need to show up," one GOP operative said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "In safe states, those rallies are about firing up the faithful and generating momentum."
The president's itinerary also reflects a broader GOP strategy of shoring up support in friendly territory while Democratic candidates gain ground in more competitive regions. Recent polling in several swing states has shown tightening races, and some Republican incumbents are facing unexpected challenges.
Trump's visits to Oklahoma and Alabama are unlikely to alter the outcomes there, but they serve as a visible reminder of the party's reliance on its base as the midterms approach. With control of both chambers of Congress on the line, every rally is a calculated move in a high-stakes political chess game.
As the president prepares to take the stage in Durant and Mobile, the focus remains on whether these appearances can galvanize Republican voters enough to offset the Democratic momentum seen in recent weeks. The coming month will test the party's ability to hold its ground in an increasingly volatile political environment.
