Republicans need Trump to turn out the base. Some candidates still don’t want him.

‘These guys are in a pickle’: Some Republicans spurn Trump on the campaign trail - POLITICO

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‘These guys are in a pickle’: Some Republicans spurn Trump on the campaign trail

Republicans are counting on Trump to energize the voters they need in November, even as some candidates fear his unpopularity could alienate the persuadable voters they also need to win.

!DALLAS, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 10: U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage to speak on the second day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. U.S. President Donald Trump is headlining the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm convention as he aims to highlight his administration’s achievements and rally support for GOP candidates just two months before the upcoming elections being held on November 3. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

*President Donald Trump takes the stage to speak on the second day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 10, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images*

By Erin Doherty, Alec Hernandez, Samuel Benson and Meredith Lee Hill

10/01/2026 05:00 AM EDT

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Republicans know President Donald Trump’s unpopularity poses a big problem for them in November. They also recognize he may be their only option to avoid a wipeout.

Five weeks before Election Day, many Republicans are facing a damned-if-they-do, damned-if-they-don’t dilemma. Some candidates in close races are wary of alienating undecided voters by campaigning alongside Trump and the baggage that comes with him: High gas prices, voters’ persistent economic concerns and the prolonged war in Iran.

But keeping the president at arm’s length could make it harder to turn out the low-propensity base voters they need — voters that only Trump has been able to bring to the polls.

“These guys are in a pickle,” said one national GOP operative granted anonymity to speak candidly about the landscape, like others in this article. “They may not want Trump to come to the district, but there are still things that Trump can do to help.”

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