Republicans shift to defense as midterm polls show Democratic gains

Four weeks before the November 2 midterms, Republicans are defending traditional strongholds as Democrats gain ground in Senate and House races.

• Trump-aligned groups have spent over $163 million on advertising since September 1, with roughly $63 million in states and districts Trump won by 10 points or more in 2024.
• Trump campaigned in Alabama and Ohio, urging voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot" as he promised a Republican victory in November.
• New York Times/Siena polls showed Democrats leading Senate races in Alaska and Texas, with no clear leader in Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa.
• The White House announced a $90 payment to roughly 20 million Medicare Part B seniors; Arizona Senator Mark Kelly called the payouts "trying to buy votes."
• The $90 payments will be funded from the Medicare Improvement Fund and disbursed in early October.
• Low-income seniors on Medicaid, higher-income enrollees, and most Medicare Advantage participants will not qualify.
• New York Times/Siena polls found 9% to 16% of likely GOP voters backing Democrats in Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, and Texas.