Signaling their increased panic about getting crushed in the coming midterms, Axios reported that the Republican Party is dumping more and more money into red-state Senate races that were once considered a sure thing, attempting to preserve their “red wall” against a blue wave.
Republicans have long been predicted to lose badly in the 2026 midterms, with President Donald Trump’s reputation with voters becoming toxic enough that both the House and the Senate majorities are now considered fair game. Previously, the Senate map had been considered too GOP-friendly for Democrats to have a shot, but trends have changed fast and are not slowing down.
On Wednesday, Axios reported that the party is now pumping money into two races in particular in traditionally red states, in order to potentially fend off Democratic upsets.
“The GOP — alarmed by recent polls and voting trends — is juicing its efforts in Ohio and Iowa to reinforce a Senate ‘red wall’ they believe can block Democrats’ path to a majority in the chamber,” Axios detailed. “One Nation, the conservative nonprofit aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), is reserving $28 million in TV advertising in Ohio and $11 million in Iowa, according to plans obtained by Axios.”
It continued: “Republican candidates are locked in tough races in those states less than two years after President Trump won both by double digits. The TV ads will begin Wednesday and will run through the summer.”
In Ohio, former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is running against incumbent Republican John Husted, who was appointed to the seat to replace JD Vance after he became Vice President. Numerous polls rate the race as a toss-up, a shift from its previous “lean Republican” rating. A Fox News poll, meanwhile, raised eyebrows after releasing a recent poll that had Brown leading by several points, outside the margin of error.
Meanwhile, in Iowa, polls have been inching towards the Democrats after Paralympian State Rep. Josh Turek won the party’s Senate nomination, setting up a race against Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson to fill the seat of the retiring Sen. Joni Ernst. Several polls show Hinson with a small lead, though once again, a recent Fox poll showed Turek ahead by four points.
“Republicans are especially worried about Ohio Sen. Jon Husted’s unexpectedly competitive race against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who’s outraised Husted by more than 2 to 1,” Axios explained. “In Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson is confronting voters dissatisfied with Trump’s tariffs and a struggling agricultural economy. [She] faces state Rep. Josh Turek, who’s emphasized the impact of Trump’s policies on working Iowans.”
“This five-alarm fire by Republicans shows they know just how fragile their Senate majority is. Democrats have expanded the map with strong candidates and formidable campaigns,” Tommy Garcia, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, told the outlet.