Trump bats for GOP in costliest elections
President Donald Trump is barnstorming the country until Monday in support of Republican candidates for Congress and other offices in Tuesday’s midterm elections, which will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years.
Trump isn’t on the ballot on Tuesday, but midterm elections are typically a referendum on the occupant of the White House. A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll released on Sunday showed Trump’s approval rating at 46%, up from 45% in October. But 40% say their vote on Tuesday will be a signal of opposition to Trump against 32% who intend to vote to show support. The Washington Post-ABC News poll put Trump’s approval at 40%, up from 36% in the same series in August. Both surveys showed Democrats leading in Congressional preference.
MOST EXPENSIVE RACE IN US HISTORY
The blizzard of spending in California’s 25th district stands out even during the most expensive congressional elections in US history. The contest, a top Democratic target, has drawn more than $26 million in spending by candidates and outside groups since January 2017, according to a Reuters analysis.
It leads the 10 priciest House races, where a total of $238 mn has been spent.
Democrats - aiming to pick up the 23 House seats and two in the Senate needed to control Congress and block much of Republican President Donald Trump’s agenda and increase oversight of his administration - have far outpaced opponents in spending.
Democrats and their allies in the 10 costliest House races spent $142 mn to Republicans’ $96 mn, the Reuters’ analysis found.