Trump Heads to Arizona, Montana to Boost Republican Candidates Before Midterms/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump will campaign Wednesday in Arizona and Montana to support Republican candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. He will rally for gubernatorial nominee Andy Biggs in Bullhead City before supporting House candidate Aaron Flint in Kalispell. The visits come as Republicans scale back some battleground spending and Democrats seek to capitalize on Trump’s low approval ratings.
Quick Look
- Arizona rally: Scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time in Bullhead City.
- Montana rally: Scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern time in Kalispell.
- Governor’s contest: Biggs is challenging Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs.
- House contest: Flint faces Democrat Sam Forstag in Montana’s 1st District.
- Campaign context: The stops follow Trump appearances in Ohio and Alaska.
- Political pressure: Rising costs, the Iran war and weak presidential approval complicate Republican campaigns.
- Arizona distinction: It is the only swing state among Trump’s recent campaign destinations, although the rally site is a Republican stronghold.
Deep Look
Trump Extends Western Campaign Tour With Two Wednesday Rallies
LAS VEGAS — President Donald Trump’s campaign effort to support Republicans continues Wednesday with stops in Arizona and Montana, less than three weeks before elections that will determine control of Congress.
Trump will appear in Bullhead City, Arizona, for Rep. Andy Biggs, who is challenging Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.
He will then travel to Kalispell, Montana, to support Aaron Flint in the state’s western congressional district.
The Arizona rally is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern time, followed by the Montana event at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time.
The appearances follow campaign visits earlier this week to Ohio and Alaska.
GOP Campaign Push Confronts Difficult Political Conditions
Trump has maintained a demanding schedule of rallies often lasting more than an hour.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia described the effort as a “midterm blitz.”
The president is trying to limit anticipated Republican losses and overcome the historical tendency for a president’s party to lose congressional seats during midterm elections.
His campaign comes amid low approval ratings, rising living costs and the ongoing Iran war.
Arizona Adds Swing-State Stop to Mostly Republican Itinerary
Arizona is the only swing state among Trump’s recent campaign stops, although the airport rally will take place in a Republican stronghold.
Other October appearances have concentrated on traditionally Republican territory, including Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas.
Trump won Arizona in 2016 and 2024 but lost it in 2020.
Montana backed him by double-digit margins in all three presidential campaigns. Its 1st Congressional District is somewhat less Republican than the state overall.
Spending Shifts Reflect Republican Defensive Strategy
Republicans have begun pulling back from a handful of competitive House races as the campaign enters its final stretch.
The party has also reduced expectations in some Senate contests.
Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking funds for candidates whose races appeared less promising earlier in the year.
Those changes reflect Republican efforts to protect vulnerable seats and Democratic attempts to expand opportunities amid dissatisfaction with Trump.
Biggs Challenges Hobbs in Arizona Governor’s Race
Biggs has been a consistent Trump ally and helped the president’s effort to block House certification of his 2020 election defeat.
A former chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Biggs has represented a safe Republican congressional seat since his election in 2016.
He now faces Hobbs, who narrowly defeated Republican Kari Lake in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Arizona has increasingly elected Democrats to statewide positionsmaking the governor’s race an important contest for both parties.
Flint and Forstag Compete for Montana House Seat
Flint is seeking to succeed retiring Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who served as Interior secretary during Trump’s first administration.
A former Zinke aide, Army veteran and talk-radio host, Flint secured endorsements from both Trump and Zinke during the June primary.
His campaign has criticized progressive figures including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Democratic opponent Sam Forstag is a labor union leader and Forest Service smokejumper—a firefighter who reaches remote fires by aircraft and parachute.
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