West Virginia's GOP voter edge tops 200,000 as parties eye general election turnout - WCHS

President Donald Trump is traveling from state to state to try to keep Republicans in control of Washington, two weeks before the midterm elections and as the first early votes arrive across the country. A handful of Senate and House races will determine the fate of Congress.

Their nominee, State Auditor Matt Dunlap, was not party brass’ first choice to take advantage of a favorable midterm environment, or even their second. He first entered the race by challenging Golden, and after the incumbent withdrew, he won a primary over the party’s preferred candidate. Hammering a message focused on the cost of living, Dunlap has seemingly closed the gap, with polls showing a tightening race and independent analysts rating it among the most competitive in the country. Both campaigns and outside groups have spent more than a combined $10 million on it. In a sign of how Republicans view the race, House Speaker Mike Johnson stumped in Bangor for LePage last week, calling the contest “top five” nationally. Trump himself has yet to campaign for LePage in Maine, but Vice President JD Vance has twice. After speaking at a town hall event in Brewer last month, Dunlap, who is professorial and low-key where LePage is loud and pugnacious, told the Globe “it’s easy to underestimate me.” And he also argued outsiders underestimate the district’s independent streak, particularly due to Trump’s historic unpopularity.

Oliver, 42, appeared Monday in New Bedford District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lanes violation, and speeding. He left the courthouse in a black vehicle without speaking to reporters after being released on personal recognizance. “Not today,” his lawyer, John Hendrie, said Monday when asked to comment. The crash scene on Dartmouth Street in New Bedford in the late evening on Oct. 17. The operator, City Councilor Shawn Oliver, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol. Courtesy of Joanne Doherty/The New Bedford LightMinogue, however, did have something to say. The Hamilton Republican released a statement hours after Oliver’s arraignment, emphasizing that he asked Oliver to resign, should voters elect them over incumbent Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll on Nov. 3. His campaign stressed that Oliver’s name will remain on the ballot, and for supporters to not alter the line on their ballot featuring their names, given that could invalidate their vote.

The economic strain is becoming a growing political concern for Republicans in states they have long dominated. President Donald Trump is heading to Kansas on Monday and Iowa later in the week, the latest in a series of stops where he’s trying to energize his base in the final weeks before the midterm elections. The visits come as Republicans pour money into Senate races in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa amid concerns about voter enthusiasm. The anxiety may be especially notable in Kansas — a state Trump won by 16 percentage points against Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024 — as Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces a tough challenge from Democrat Adam Hamilton. Democrats have not won a Senate election in Kansas in 94 years. Get Starting PointA guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter EmailHamilton, the founder of the nation’s largest United Methodist church, has attracted Republican support in his Senate bid, including endorsements from two former GOP governors. In a video statement ahead of Trump’s visit, Hamilton said it was “an honor” to welcome a sitting president to Kansas.

As Shawn Oliver’s arrest on drunken driving charges over the weekend threatened to disrupt the campaign’s closing message, Minogue on Sunday quickly called on the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor to suspend his campaign. It was a dramatic demand with just over two weeks until Election Day, and a rare public break between two candidates sharing a ticket. Within hours, Oliver did, saying the election was too important “to be overshadowed by personal matters.” The New Bedford City Councilor’s quick departure spared Minogue from a prolonged public rupture, even though Oliver’s name will remain next to his on voters’ Nov. 3 ballots. But it also marked only the latest snag for the Republican Party already struggling to regain relevance on Beacon Hill. The party earlier this year was still facing financial challenges despite vows to turn the page from years of debts. GOP candidates are fighting Trump-fueled headwinds in a state where the president remains deeply unpopular.