Latest
Category 2 Hurricane Isaias nears landfall, leading to production shut-insJad Abumrad loves a butterfly knife and a good springy pillowZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on holdIlhan Omar’s attorneys say federal search of her home was ‘neither justified nor lawful’Zelensky on Trump waiving Russia sanctions: ‘This Act could have helped enormously’The right is pushing its anti-trans fury on the WNBA. Players and fans are loudly pushing backNot all Republicans want to show Trump offCategory 2 Hurricane Isaias nears landfall, leading to production shut-insJad Abumrad loves a butterfly knife and a good springy pillowZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on holdIlhan Omar’s attorneys say federal search of her home was ‘neither justified nor lawful’Zelensky on Trump waiving Russia sanctions: ‘This Act could have helped enormously’The right is pushing its anti-trans fury on the WNBA. Players and fans are loudly pushing backNot all Republicans want to show Trump off
← Signal: State & Power

Republican candidates distancing Trump from their campaigns

Confirmed1 source · Oct 17, 2026

GOP candidates are avoiding Trump in advertisements and events, even in traditionally Republican districts.

Republican candidates distancing Trump from their campaigns
Image via Politico

What happened

Republican candidates are declining to feature Trump in political advertisements, including in deep-red districts where they previously promoted him. Some candidates are also avoiding appearing with Trump at campaign events.

Context

This represents a shift in how Republican candidates are positioning themselves relative to Trump at the campaign level. The avoidance spans geographic areas considered safe for Republican candidates, suggesting concerns about Trump's electoral value extend beyond competitive races.