Trump and Vance lead final Republican push as Democrats campaign across key states

US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and congressional candidates are making their final appeals to voters on Monday, November 2, ahead of the midterm elections. Republicans are defending their Senate and House of Representatives majorities amid low approval ratings for Trump. Polls suggest the Iran war, expensive energy and broader affordability concerns could help Democrats deliver a strong election performance.

Trump is scheduled to speak at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC, at 2pm ET. The setting marks a change after more than 25 rallies over the past month, mostly in conservative areas. He had described his Sunday appearance in Kansas as the final destination of his midterm campaign tour.

The Washington venue also brings attention to a troubled renovation. According to the Associated Press, Trump’s work on the historic reflecting pool finished nearly three months behind schedule and cost more than 10 times its original budget. Its blue liner, intended to evoke the American flag, began peeling after Trump announced completion. Discussing the prospect of working with Democrats on the New York Post’s Pod Force One podcast, Trump called himself a potential “Mr. Veto”, suggesting repeated vetoes could eventually bring negotiations.

Vance was due to campaign in Rome, New York, for Republican House candidates Anthony Constantino and Kailee Buller at a rally beginning at 9:15am ET. Constantino hopes to replace longtime Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, who is not seeking another term. A Siena Research Institute poll indicates a potentially competitive contest despite Republicans having roughly 80,000 more registered voters in the district. North Country Public Radio reported that broader Republican support was not necessarily translating into backing for Constantino.

In Michigan, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed planned to begin his final campaign morning with a voter canvassing rally at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. His itinerary then takes him to Flint at 1:30pm ET and Royal Oak at 3:30pm, before a closing rally in Detroit at 4:30pm.

Texas Democrats James Talarico, running for Senate, and Gina Hinojosa, seeking the governorship, are holding a joint Austin rally at 6:30pm CT. Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton has appearances scheduled in Conroe at noon and Allen at 6:30pm. Polls put Talarico slightly ahead of Paxton, while Governor Greg Abbott’s advantage over Hinojosa has diminished.

Other Democrats are spending Monday meeting voters across several states. Troy Jackson’s Maine schedule includes Yarmouth, Scarborough, South Portland and Portland. Josh Turek is visiting Harlan, Onawa, Le Mars and Sioux City in Iowa. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton is campaigning in Wichita, Topeka and Lawrence, with his final event still unannounced.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Washington is scheduled to hear a challenge Monday morning to the administration’s position that armed immigration agents may enter polling places to enforce immigration laws. Common Cause, UnidosUS, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the city and county of Denver brought the lawsuit.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in September that agents would not patrol voting sites but could enter to address threats or serve warrants. The plaintiffs contend that such actions could intimidate voters and breach a federal restriction on armed personnel at polling places. The Department of Homeland Security has said Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not planning operations aimed at polling locations.