Republicans Recast 3 Senate Debates as Trump Drags on Iran, Trade and Epstein
Updated
Updated · CNN · Oct 13
Republicans Recast 3 Senate Debates as Trump Drags on Iran, Trade and Epstein
3 articles · Updated · CNN · Oct 13
Summary
Three Senate debates in Maine, Georgia and Iowa showed Republicans adjusting to Trump’s falling popularity as they tried either to distance themselves from him or redirect attacks onto Democrats.
Susan Collins in Maine highlighted votes against Trump on the Iran war, Medicaid cuts and Canada tariffs, while still arguing her Appropriations chairmanship makes her better able than Democrat Troy Jackson to deal with the administration.
Ashley Hinson in Iowa broke with Trump on his diesel deal with Russia and pressed for a quick end to the Iran war, but stopped short of backing a new war-powers curb as she and Josh Turek traded attacks over attendance and town halls.
Mike Collins in Georgia went on offense against Jon Ossoff over immigration, Israel and donor Reid Hoffman’s Epstein ties, while Ossoff countered by tying Collins to Trump, tariffs, Iran and a House ethics probe.
The clashes underscored the GOP’s uneven playbook in a narrowly divided Senate, where Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats to take control.