What GOP officials are hopeful — and worried — about six months from the midterms
Six months before the 2026 midterms, GOP officials express cautious optimism about retaining control of Congress despite recent electoral losses and President Trump's low approval ratings. They cite favorable redistricting rulings, strong fundraising, and economic messaging around tax cuts as reasons for hope. However, concerns remain about the ongoing Iran war, high gas prices, and maintaining base turnout without Trump on the ballot.
- ▪Republicans have lost several elections in the past six months, contributing to Democratic momentum and compounding concerns about Trump's low approval ratings.
- ▪Recent court decisions on redistricting have given the GOP an advantage, potentially reducing the number of seats Democrats can gain in Congress.
- ▪The Republican Party has raised more money than major Democratic groups, and some officials believe falling gas prices could improve their electoral prospects if the Iran war ends soon.
- ▪GOP leaders emphasize the "Working Families Tax Cut" as a key economic achievement to rally support, though they worry about keeping Trump focused on pocketbook issues.
- ▪The Iran war, initially expected to be short, has lasted three months and caused divisions within Trump’s base, complicating efforts to stabilize his approval ratings.
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2026 ElectionWhat GOP officials are hopeful — and worried — about six months from the midtermsNBC News spoke to roughly 30 Republican National Committee members and GOP activists around the country about how the party can keep control of Congress in November.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00President Donald Trump during a small-business summit in the East Room of the White House on May 4.Daniel Heuer / Bloomberg via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 17, 2026, 5:51 AM EDTBy Matt DixonPresident Donald Trump isn’t on the ballot this year, but with roughly six months before Election Day, he’ll still likely be the biggest factor in determining the fortunes of the Republican Party.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and…
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