<p>President Donald Trump is planning to visit at least 10 states during the final month before the midterm elections, as Republicans aim to maintain control of Congress.</p>
<p>Trump’s travel itinerary includes nearly every major battleground state except for Maine, where Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) is defending her seat against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson. The president is expected to make stops in a mix of traditional swing states and Republican strongholds that have become competitive this year, according to Politico.</p>
<p>The itinerary includes traditional battlegrounds Michigan, North Carolina, and Georgia, as well as Republican-leaning Texas, Iowa, Alaska, Ohio, and Kansas. Trump is also expected to visit Montana and Pennsylvania, where competitive House races are underway.</p>
<p>Trump is scheduled to visit Texas, Ohio, and Georgia twice, with one of his largest campaign swings reportedly lasting two weeks, taking him from Washington to Montana, Alaska, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Texas before returning to the White House. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p>The absence of Maine from Trump’s itinerary is notable as Collins faces one of the closest races of her nearly three decades in the Senate. Collins is the only Republican senator seeking reelection this year in a state that former Vice President Kamala Harris carried in 2024. Given Trump's relationship with Collins, it may be prudent for her to keep him at a distance.</p>
<p>The three states Trump is expected to visit twice—Texas, Ohio, and Georgia—feature closely watched Senate contests, although the political dynamics differ considerably.</p>
<p>Texas has emerged as a competitive race as Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic nominee James Talarico face off. Trump, who carried Texas by 14 percentage points in 2024, is scheduled to return on Wednesday for a rally in San Antonio for Paxton. Recent polling indicates a close race, prompting increased outside spending as Republicans aim to retain a Senate seat they have held for years.</p>
<p>In Ohio, Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) is facing a challenge from former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who is seeking to return to the Senate after losing to Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) in 2024. Ohio is also experiencing a competitive gubernatorial race between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton.</p>
<p>In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is seeking a second term against Representative Mike Collins (R-GA), who has recently lagged in the polls. A visit from Trump could help mobilize his voter base in a state he carried in 2024.</p>
<p>Trump has increased his campaign travel as Election Day approaches. He rallied supporters in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday night and is set to travel to Ohio on Saturday before heading to Nebraska on Monday.</p>
<p>In Alabama on Friday, Trump emphasized that his strategy is focused on translating his personal support into votes for Republican candidates, even though he is not on the ballot.</p>
<p>“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump told supporters, noting that Republican turnout tends to suffer when he is not running. “Just close your eyes and pretend I’m on the ballot.”</p>
<p>Trump acknowledged that Alabama and some of his other stops are in states he carried comfortably, stating he traveled there to assist Republican candidates and to recognize voters who have consistently supported him.</p>
<p>“Sometimes even though you don’t have to come here, you got to pay respect to the people that have loved you from the beginning,” Trump said.</p>
<p>Traveling also allows Trump to highlight his accomplishments while in office, a strategy he has employed throughout the week. Trump has promoted proposed investments in Alaska and Iowa, redirected $20 million in Department of Homeland Security funding toward government-paid television advertising, and begun sending $500 checks to approximately 1 million people who the administration claims were overcharged for Obamacare coverage under former President Joe Biden.</p>