Trump pushes battleground Republicans away from bigger races
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump shake hands after the signing of Trump's tax and spending bill on July 4. Photo: Via Getty Images
The White House is pushing swing-seat lawmakers away from running for higher office, warning members in Iowa, New York and Michigan that they need to save the party's razor-thin majority.
Why it matters: President Trump is trying to solidify the field early, using endorsements to keep lawmakers boxed out from statewide runs.
Driving the news: Swing-seat Rep. Zach Nunn is weighing a bid for Iowa governor, with a White House meeting next week.
- The White House is expected to deliver a strong message to Nunn, emphasizing the importance of holding the House, a source familiar with the matter told Axios.
- Nunn was rebuffed by party leaders when he floated the idea of running for Iowa's more conservative 4th Congressional District.
- But GOP leaders told him they don't want a proven incumbent to abandon a swing seat, a source familiar said.
The big picture: Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) have also publicly floated bids for higher office.
- The White House sent a clear message to Lawler that Trump wants him to stay in the House rather than run for governor. Trump has endorsed Lawler for reelection.
- Huizenga is weighing a run for Michigan's open Senate seat despite clear signals from Trump and Republican leadership they don't want him in the race. The NRSC has endorsed former Rep. Mike Rogers for the job, and Trump backed Rogers for Senate last cycle.
- Huizenga has told colleagues he'll wait until he has a meeting with Trump to discuss the race before making his next move, according to a person familiar with his thinking.
Between the lines: Despite efforts from Trump and party leaders, some swing-district Republicans are jumping ship anyway.
- Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), one of just three Republicans who represent a district won by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, announced his retirement last month.
- Rep. John James (R-Mich.) also opted to run for governor, another blow to the House map and a move that worried Trump, Axios previously reported.
Zoom out: Huizenga, Lawler and Nunn are all in districts that are top targets for Democrats in 2026.
- Incumbents benefit from name recognition and fundraising infrastructure that new candidates don't have.
The bottom line: Trump knows keeping the House is key to advancing his agenda and avoiding a repeat of his first term's second half, which was overshadowed by two impeachments led by the Democratic-controlled House.
