Final New York Times and Siena University survey results put Democratic candidates ahead in the key Senate battlegrounds, just days before Tuesday’s midterms. President Donald Trump has spent the closing stretch holding rallies to rally Republican voters.
Donald Trump faces brutal poll numbers ahead of midterms election
The poll surveyed voters in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Kansas, Michigan, and Texas between October 23 and November 1. Democrats need to flip at least four seats to win a Senate majority, and they must hold every seat they currently control.
Only 38 percent of likely voters across the seven states approve of Donald Trump’s job performance. The Times called that number “strikingly low,” noting that the president won five of these states by double digits two years ago. Respondents also said Democrats would handle the cost of living, foreign wars, and the needs of ordinary people better than Republicans.
Additionally, Michigan shows the largest gap. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holds 53 percent to Republican Mike Rogers’ 42 percent. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico leads Ken Paxton, 50 percent to 43 percent. Trump has endorsed Paxton, and Democrats are yet to win a Texas Senate race since 1988. Maine’s Democratic challenger Troy Jackson leads Sen. Susan Collins, 51 percent to 45 percent.
Even Democrat Adam Hamilton edges Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas, 49 percent to 44 percent. Kansas last sent a Democrat to the Senate in 1932. In Ohio, Sherrod Brown has 49 percent to Republican Jon Husted’s 44 percent.
Moreover, Alaska and Iowa sit within a few points. Mary Peltola has 48 percent to Sen. Dan Sullivan’s at 46 percent, while Josh Turek has 48 percent to Ashley Hinson’s 47 percent. Trump backs both Republicans.
The president spoke for two hours Sunday at the Five Flags Center in Iowa, where protesters demonstrated inside and outside the venue. He then flew to Salinas, Kansas, for another rally supporting Republican candidates.
Trump also made Texas a priority. He hosted the first Republican midterm convention in Dallas in September and held back-to-back rallies there last week, reportedly seeking to win back MAGA supporters disillusioned by his war in Iran.
