US election campaigns enter final month as Trump targets red states

Political campaigns have entered their final stretch before the November elections, with President Trump focusing on reliably red states while Democrats see an increasingly rosy outlook in congressional races.

As the United States approaches the November 3 vote, Republicans appear to be in damage control by pouring millions of dollars into races once considered secure. According to Al Jazeera, President Trump has embraced the election as a referendum on his leadership despite holding a 31 percent approval rating, the lowest of either of his two terms. CBS News reported that the president is currently targeting campaigns in traditionally red states.

Voter surveys indicate the economy is the top issue, with concerns fueled by gas prices linked to the US-Israel war with Iran. Al Jazeera noted that only 26 percent of respondents in a recent Associated Press-NORC poll approve of Trump’s handling of the economy. Other high-ranking concerns for voters include immigration and corruption.

Non-partisan trackers, including the Cook Political Report and the University of Virginia’s Sabato’s Crystal Ball, have increased the likelihood of Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives. The Cook Political Report recently shifted 15 House races toward the Democrats, moving several from "toss-ups" to "leans Democrat."

Henry Olsen of the Ethics and Public Policy Center told Al Jazeera that many Americans are disappointed or "bordering on angry" that the president has not delivered on core promises made during his re-election. If Democrats secure the 435-member House, they have signaled plans to launch investigations into the administration and Trump’s family business dealings.

Background

The upcoming elections will determine control of both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, with Democrats seeking to regain legislative power to assert leverage over the Trump administration.