Jul 15, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Exclusive: Daines says Vance will help Senate GOP campaigns

Stephen Neukam

Senator Steve Gaines looks on during a weekly press conference in the Capitol Building in Washington DC, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. — National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Steve Daines looks on during a Capitol press conference on March 12, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) said Trump's newly selected running mate, J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), will help Republicans in down-ballot races during an Axios House event at the Republican National Convention on Monday.

Why it matters: As head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Daines is responsible for efforts to deliver a GOP a majority on Nov. 5.

"I think J.D. is gonna help us in states like Montana, like Ohio," Daines told Axio's Stef Kight.
Trump tapped Vance as his VP pick just minutes before Daines appeared for the interview.

The big picture: Senate Republicans are salivating at their chance to win control of the chamber, with Democrats defending several vulnerable seats.

But much of the public polling shows that Senate Democratic candidates have a lead against their GOP challengers, even as President Biden lags behind in those same same states.
Republicans will almost certainly win West Virginia, Daines said, meaning they only need to win one more of the other states for an outright majority.

Between the lines: Daines also predicted that Vance will help Trump secure an electoral college victory.

"For Trump to win, to get the electoral map sealed, he needs to win the same states he won in 2020, plus Georgia and Pennsylvania," Daines said.
"I think J.D. Vance would be a big help in winning Pennsylvania."

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Exclusive: Daines says Vance will help Senate GOP campaigns

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