Trump Rallies in Arizona and Montana on Western Swing

Trump rallied Wednesday in Bullhead City, Arizona, for Rep. Andy Biggs. Biggs is challenging Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. A second stop in Kalispell, Montana, followed for House candidate Aaron Flint.

• Arizona is the only swing state among Trump's recent campaign stops.
• Earlier October stops: Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Alaska.
• Sept. 25: Cook Political Report moved Montana's 1st District to Lean Republican.
• Biggs, a former Freedom Caucus chair, aided Trump's effort to block 2020 certification.

Why it matters: The president's party usually loses seats in midterms. Trump is campaigning against that trend amid low approval ratings, rising costs and the Iran war.

• Republicans have trimmed Senate expectations and are retreating from some House races.
• Some local polls show Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag in a statistical tie.

How 13 sources split on this story

Where they split: Outlets differ on emphasis: the rally as a show of momentum versus Trump propping up Republicans in races that have tightened.

What’s next: Trump heads to Kansas next week, where Sen. Roger Marshall faces a less certain race.

• Election Day is Nov. 3, less than three weeks away.
• Can Trump rallies move voters in races where his approval is a drag?
• Will Democratic gains in states like Montana and Alaska hold through Election Day?