Trump has problems before the elections: Republicans go all-in

The Republican Party has faced unexpected difficulties ahead of the US midterm elections. Internal polls have shown the vulnerability of candidates even in traditionally safe districts, forcing party leadership to urgently allocate additional funds to election campaigns. Since September 1, major Republican groups and megadonors have begun funding campaigns in at least 39 districts where little money was spent earlier in this election cycle. Republican strategist Ron Bonjean acknowledged that the party has to defend itself in some districts that previously caused no concern. At stake is control of the House of Representatives: Republicans hold 218 seats versus 214 for Democrats, one independent representative is part of the Republican caucus, and two seats are vacant. Democrats need at least four additional seats for control. Republicans have reserved at least $888 million for political advertising against $666 million for Democrats. The spending gap among super PACs is even more noticeable: after Labor Day, Republican structures spent about $309.7 million, Democratic ones $174.2 million. A telling situation in North Carolina: in the district of Republican Gregory Murphy, Trump won in 2024 by a 14-point margin, but a conservative political committee began additional funding for Murphy's campaign for the first time. In South Texas, where Trump won by an 18-point margin, Republican groups have invested about $2 million since early September to support Monica De La Cruz. Analysts at Cook Political Report moved this race from a Republican-leaning category to a toss-up. Additional pressure comes from the economic situation: rising prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, energy, and fertilizers have particularly affected agricultural areas, traditionally important for Republicans. Republicans call the massive spending insurance, while Democrats argue that the need to spend huge sums in former Republican strongholds indicates problems for their opponents. Many Republican candidates still lead in polls, so the outcome of the fight for the House remains uncertain.