The US president is taking his campaign roadshow through red-state America, with rallies announced in Montana and Arizona next week as Republicans target key races in both states, according to reports.
The two stops continue a swing through Republican-leaning states ahead of closely watched contests that are now less than a month away, according to reports.
Montana: a House race in the spotlight
In Montana, the president is expected to speak on Monday, October 12, at the Majestic Valley Arena in Flathead County, according to reports. He will be campaigning for Republican candidate Aaron Flint in the state’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the western part of Montana.
Flint is running against Democratic candidate Sam Forstag to replace retiring Representative Ryan Zinke, according to reports. The race is seen as one of the competitive House battles of the cycle.
Montana’s Senate contest is also drawing attention, with Democrat Alani Bankhead, Republican Kurt Alme, independent Seth Bodnar and Libertarian Kyle Austin competing for the open seat being vacated by Senator Steve Daines, according to reports.
Arizona: governor’s race on the line
The Arizona rally is tentatively planned for Wednesday, October 14, at Laughlin Bullhead International Airport in Bullhead City, near the Nevada border, where the president would take the stage at 1pm, according to reports. The venue was reported by local media citing a now-deleted post on the Republican National Committee’s website.
The governor’s race tops the bill in Arizona. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, who won in 2022, is seeking re-election against Republican Representative Andy Biggs, a House Freedom Caucus member backed by the president, according to reports. Arizona Republicans are hoping to regain the governorship after losing their grip on statewide offices.
Arizona is one of five Democratic-held governorships on the ballot this year in states the president carried in 2024, according to reports.
The twin rallies underline how central the president has become to the Republican campaign effort, with his schedule closely watched for signals about his priorities at home and abroad. It also follows a week in which his remarks on international affairs drew widespread reaction.
