Republican voters expressed mixed views on how closely candidates should align with President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, according to a Politico poll.
Forty-eight percent of Democratic voters said opposing Trump was their main reason for voting, while 38% of Republican voters named supporting him. Local candidates were the leading motivation for 48% of Republicans and 37% of Democrats.
Republican respondents differed over how candidates should position themselves. Half said candidates would have better election prospects by aligning with Trump, while 30% thought candidates would do better by opposing him. Another 50% said their candidate should speak out against Trump if that were needed to win.
The Independent reported Oct. 23 that Trump had been campaigning across the country for Republicans amid the war in Iran and Americans’ continued struggle with the cost of living. At a Georgia rally the previous week, Trump told supporters, “You have to pretend I’m on the ballot.”
Economic sentiment is another part of the political backdrop. A CNBC poll published Oct. 22 found that 34% approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, the lowest reading in CNBC polling across his two terms, EconoTimes reported.
Republican National Committee spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre criticized Politico’s poll, saying Democrats were motivated by hostility toward Trump and Republicans. She said Republicans were campaigning on tax cuts and border security. The White House described Trump as a leading messenger and motivator for the party.
The poll records voters’ stated motivations and views about campaign strategy. The midterm elections are scheduled for Nov. 3.
