With less than two weeks until Election Day, most of the statewide debates have come and gone. Democrats have tried to corner their Republican opponents because of their loyalty to the president. Donald Trumpand Republicans have attempted to take nuanced positions on the Iran war and data centers.
Here’s what we learned from the more than two dozen candidate debates that took place statewide — and those that didn’t.
Republicans walk a tightrope in the face of an unpopular Trump
In debate after debate, Democrats tried to link their opponents to the unpopular president. Republicans weren’t always willing to let them do it.
Several candidates – particularly in blue states – were ready to break with the president. In New Hampshire, former Republican Sen. John Sununu said he “never met President Trump” and emphasized that he “never hesitated to stand up to my party or the president when they were wrong,” specifically criticizing Trump’s policies on trade, Iran and Ukraine. In Minnesota, Republican candidate for the Senate Michelle Tafoya said she disagreed with Trump’s tariff policies and immigration enforcement, and when asked if she would appear on stage with Assetshe hesitated. “I’m talking to Minnesotans. Their support is the only thing that matters to me,” she said.
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