ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans once viewed Georgia and North Carolina as key states in their strategy to maintain control of the Senate. However, as the midterm elections approach, the GOP's prospects in these states appear to be diminishing, prompting a shift in focus to other regions. The party is reallocating resources to defend states like Texas, where they are investing heavily, and Ohio, where former President Donald Trump plans to campaign for the Republican incumbent.
Despite not completely abandoning Georgia and North Carolina, Republicans are increasingly concerned about their ability to secure victories in these battlegrounds. Some party members have expressed frustration with Trump, citing his handling of issues such as the ongoing war in Iran and rising fuel prices as factors that may hinder Republican turnout.
In North Carolina, Republican strategist Paul Shoemaker noted a turnout issue linked to economic concerns among voters. Republican Senate campaign leaders are now prioritizing states they consider more competitive, indicating challenges for candidates like Georgia businessman Mike Collins, who is running against Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Ossoff has significantly outpaced Collins in fundraising efforts, raising $57 million and reserving an additional $13 million for advertising, while Collins' campaign has not secured immediate advertising time.
Local Republican leaders have expressed skepticism about Collins' chances against Ossoff, with Peach County Republican Party chair Tim Waters stating, "He just doesn't have what it takes to beat Ossoff."
In North Carolina, retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis emphasized the need to evaluate campaign spending against Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper, who is perceived as a strong candidate. Tillis remarked on the importance of supporting candidates who are either leading or within striking distance of victory.
Trump's support for Republican candidate Michael Whatley has not translated into widespread enthusiasm, with some Republicans indicating that Trump's appeal may be waning. The Senate Leadership Fund has committed $19.5 million in advertising for North Carolina, having already spent $30.4 million.
In Texas, Republicans are investing more heavily than in any other state, with over $100 million allocated for advertising to support state Attorney General Ken Paxton in his competitive race against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Trump's endorsement of Paxton has raised concerns among GOP leaders about potential resource drain due to Paxton's ongoing legal and ethical issues.
Should Democrats win both North Carolina and Texas, they would only need to secure two additional seats from a list of competitive Republican-held states to regain the Senate majority. Trump is scheduled to campaign in Ohio to support Sen. Jon Husted as he faces a challenge from Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown.
Republican leaders have voiced concerns about rising gas prices, attributing them to the war with Iran, and emphasizing the need for action on fuel costs. South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds acknowledged the importance of addressing high gas prices as a critical issue for the party's success in the upcoming elections.