RNC chair predicts GOP keeps House, 53 Senate seats
RNC Chair Joe Gruters told NewsNation he expects Republicans to retain control of both chambers in November’s midterm elections, projecting the party will win 220 House seats and 53 Senate seats. Gruters credited stronger candidates, increased resources and former President Donald Trump’s campaign activity for the forecast.
Why It Matters
The forecast contrasts with recent polling that shows low approval for Trump and projects Democratic control of Congress, highlighting a partisan disagreement over the electoral landscape and campaign strategy ahead of the midterms.
Key Facts
- Who made the prediction: RNC Chair Joe Gruters
- Where he spoke: Interview with Blake Burman on NewsNation’s "The Hill"
- House seats predicted for GOP: 220
- Senate seats predicted for GOP: 53
- Reasoning given by Gruters: Better candidates, more resources, and campaign rallies featuring Donald Trump (described as the party’s 'secret weapon')},{
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said Wednesday he expects the GOP to keep its congressional majorities in November’s midterms, predicting his party will secure 220 seats in the House and 53 in the Senate. In an appearance on NewsNation’s "The Hill" with Blake Burman, Gruters pointed to what he called improved candidate quality across contests, greater financial resources, and an active campaign schedule featuring former President Donald Trump.
Gruters rejected the tactic some Republican hopefuls have used of distancing themselves from Trump, arguing that candidates should embrace the policy agenda the former president promoted. He said the party will "barnstorm the country" with rallies and predicted that leaning into Trump-era messaging would aid Republican prospects.
The RNC chair’s optimism comes amid headwinds for the party: polling compiled by Decision Desk HQ placed Trump’s approval at 37.9 percent and his disapproval at 60.7 percent as of Wednesday night. That nonpartisan polling partner is forecasting that Democrats will take majorities in both the House and Senate, a projection at odds with Gruters’s forecast.
Republican campaigns are also navigating controversial issues that could affect voter opinions, including divisions over President Trump’s military actions in Iran and concerns about rising living costs. Some GOP candidates have publicly reduced their association with Trump in recent days — examples cited include Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds removing some mentions of the president from his website, and Senate candidates Mike Rogers of Michigan and Ashley Hinson of Iowa distancing themselves from Trump on the Iran war — illustrating a mix of strategies within the party as the midterms approach.
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