Experts: It’ll be Trump vs. Liz in Diehl race
President Trump isn’t running against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts this fall — but just try to stop him.
In a U.S. Senate race that is seen as a dress rehearsal for a widely anticipated 2020 Trump vs. Warren presidential race, experts say Trump won’t be able to resist campaigning for state Rep. Geoff Diehl in what is seen as an uphill bid to unseat Warren.
“He can’t stay away,” said New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro — a 2016 Trump Granite State campaigner. He said he has “no doubt” Trump will support Diehl, and he expects Trump will stage a rally in Massachusetts.
Trump has notoriously goaded Warren repeatedly on Twitter over her Native American heritage claims and policy issues. Warren has frequently fired back, and even used Trump’s attacks in fundraising pitches.
“I know that the White House is aware of the campaign,” Diehl said yesterday outside Town Spa Pizza in Stoughton, where he greeted voters.
“If the president decided to get involved and help, we’d love it,” said Diehl, who was Trump’s Massachusetts campaign chairman in 2016.
Independent political analyst Todd Domke — who left the Republican Party after Trump was elected — said a visit from the president may not be the best idea.
“Trump is so unpopular in the state it would not help Diehl,” said Domke. He predicted that if Diehl goes “full Trump,” he’ll “lose big.”
Diehl, who has served in the Legislature for seven years, beat Beth Lindstrom and John Kingston in Tuesday’s Republican primary for a chance to battle Warren in the November midterm elections.
Even though Massachusetts is a heavily blue state, Diehl says he isn’t worried about attracting voters.
“I think a lot of people now are starting to vote for the person, not the party,” Diehl said. He said Warren is just “using Massachusetts as a stepping stone” for a presidential run.
The Warren campaign did not comment on the possibility of Trump inserting himself into the race. But Warren tweeted Tuesday, “This campaign has never been about me — it’s been about all of us fighting to level the playing field for working people.”
Diehl will face Warren in three debates.
Diehl said yesterday his campaign will focus on issues surrounding border security, the opioid crisis and keeping the unemployment rate low.