Our reporters are on the ground in key states as we enter the final two weeks of the midterm election cycle.
The GOP is trying to hold off election losses as national polls show Democrats have an advantage. In the latest CNN Poll of Polls averaging recent “generic ballot” questions — which ask voters which party’s congressional candidate they would support in their district — the Democrats lead the Republicans 54% to 45%, with little variation in the margin across polls.
If you’re just joining us, here’s the latest from the campaign trail:
Michigan Senate race: GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers distanced himself from Trump’s false comments about his opponent, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash this morning, but he still attempted to tie the Democrat to an Islamist political movement.
Meanwhile, El-Sayed campaigned in Flint and Detroit. In Flint, his war of words with the president continued. “Donald Trump and JD Vance can’t seem to keep my name out of their mouth,” El-Sayed told a crowd. Later, in Detroit, El-Sayed shifted his focus to support for unions as he spoke to the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters.
Abdul El-Sayed responds to Trump’s attacks on his name
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed pointed to the Trump family’s dealings in the Middle East as he responded to Republican attacks on his faith and name. The Michigan-born doctor would be the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate if elected, facing Republican Mike Rogers in a competitive race.
Abdul El-Sayed responds to Trump’s attacks on his name
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Maine Senate race: Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson stressed his support for ending the war in Iran, but did not appear to have a clear plan on how the US should exit the conflict. Asked by CNN how the US would pull out of the war and what that would mean for the Strait of Hormuz, Jackson replied that “Iran controlled it before.”
Massachusetts GOP candidate suspends campaign: Shawn Oliver, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, suspended his campaign after he was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor.
Kansas: CNN’s Manu Raju spoke with Sen. Roger Marshall and his Democratic challenger, pastor Adam Hamilton about the surprisingly competitive contest:
Republicans are rushing to save this Senate seat
Republicans are ramping up efforts to hold on to Sen. Roger Marshall’s seat as Democrat Adam Hamilton, a pastor, is challenging him. CNN’s Manu Raju traveled to Kansas to speak with both candidates about the race and what’s at stake.
Republicans are rushing to save this Senate seat
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Energy costs complicate GOP campaigns: Energy market traders have blamed a spike in oil prices on ongoing supply concerns due to the US-Iran war. Trump has insisted that prices will soon come tumbling down, but the path toward ending the conflict and restoring stability remains unclear. Many Republicans are facing questions about the issue as they make their pitch to voters on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson said he’s been in touch with the White House about concerns within his Republican conference about the “unintended consequences” of Trump’s moves to waive sanctions on Russian fuel sales.
CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Manu Raju, Aileen Graef, Katherine Koretski, Molly English and Alison Main contributed to this report.