Why Some GOP Candidates Are Running Away from Trump

Summary of Why Some GOP Candidates Are Running Away from Trump

by CNN Podcasts

10m•September 23, 2026
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Overview of Why Some GOP Candidates Are Running Away from Trump

This CNN One Thing Midterms episode breaks down new post–Labor Day polling showing a difficult midterm environment for Republicans and explains why some GOP candidates are starting to distance themselves from Donald Trump. CNN polling editor Arielle Edwards-Levy argues that Democrats currently hold both a generic-ballot lead and a motivation advantage, while Trump’s approval remains weak and increasingly fails to energize the GOP base in the same way it does his opponents.

Key Takeaways

  • Democrats lead on the generic ballot by 8 points

    • Voters currently prefer a Democratic candidate over a Republican candidate for Congress by 8 points.
    • That’s a meaningful headwind for Republicans, even if the margin is slightly smaller than in some prior cycles.

  • Trump is historically unpopular

    • Edwards-Levy says Trump is now at one of his lowest approval points ever, and close to the floor he’s hit before.
    • His approval on the economy is even lower than his overall approval, which is especially damaging because the economy has traditionally been one of his stronger issues.

  • Republicans are facing a familiar midterm problem — but it looks worse

    • Midterms usually punish the party in power, and this cycle appears to be reinforcing that trend.
    • The polling suggests a broader sense of frustration with the economy and with Trump’s handling of it.

  • Trump is energizing his opponents more than his supporters

    • Democrats and anti-Trump voters are highly motivated to turn out.
    • Among Republicans, most still approve of Trump, but the share who strongly approve has been slowly declining.
    • That drop in enthusiasm matters in an off-year election where turnout is critical.

Why Some GOP Candidates Are Running Away from Trump

The episode highlights how some Republican candidates are moderating or distancing their messaging from Trump-adjacent positions, especially in competitive districts.

Examples mentioned in the episode

  • Mike Rogers in Michigan spoke against the war with Iran, reflecting the need to appeal to a purple-state electorate.
  • Maria Elvira Salazar in Florida ran an ad addressing Hispanic voters and criticizing Trump’s immigration enforcement approach, saying some efforts “have gone too far.”

What this signals

  • Some GOP candidates appear to be trying to separate themselves from Trump’s more polarizing positions.
  • The goal is not necessarily to abandon Trump entirely, but to avoid being overly tied to unpopular policies in districts where independents and moderate Republicans matter.

What the Polling Suggests About Voter Behavior

Edwards-Levy emphasizes that this election is being shaped by a mix of broad political forces and practical turnout dynamics:

  • Democratic enthusiasm is stronger

    • Anti-Trump voters are showing more urgency and motivation to vote.

  • Republican enthusiasm is softer

    • Many Republicans still support Trump, but they are not as energized as they once were.

  • Not all voters decide based on issues alone

    • Some voters are simply voting for party control of Congress.
    • Others are weighing candidate experience, background, or turnout habits.
    • Early voting and mail voting patterns could also play a major role.

What to Watch Next

The episode ends by noting that the broad partisan landscape is already fairly clear, but several things will determine the final outcome:

  • How individual races crystallize

    • Candidate messaging and local campaign dynamics may matter more as Election Day nears.

  • Turnout patterns

    • Early voting, mail voting, and who actually shows up will be crucial.

  • Persuadable voters

    • The biggest unknown is how undecided or weakly partisan voters break in key districts.

  • Whether GOP candidates continue to distance themselves

    • The more Republicans try to soften or reframe their relationship to Trump, the more it may reveal about where they think the political winds are blowing.

Notable Insight

“What we’re seeing is sort of the difference between saying, ‘OK, I’m still a Republican, I’m still going to support a Republican president’ and being really fired up and motivated and an active part of that base.”

That distinction is the core theme of the episode: Republicans may still back Trump in principle, but many are no longer showing the level of enthusiasm needed to maximize turnout in a tough midterm environment.