Republicans need to “run up the score” in a trio of states where Senate races for seats held by Democrats are taking place along with an expected rematch between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in this year’s election, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) said on Sunday.
The veepstakes contender told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo the national party should lean into the “industrial Midwest” states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — states where Biden narrowly prevailed over Trump in the 2020 election — so that the GOP can win back not just the White House but also wrest control the upper chamber of Congress from the Democrats.
“We really have to run up the score with a lot of voters who recognize that they have been left behind by the economic policies of Joe Biden,” Vance said on “Sunday Morning Futures.” He added, “If you want to make things in the United States of America, the most important thing, Maria, is low-cost energy and yet Joe Biden’s energy policies have been at war with workers in these states.”
Senator @JDVance1 on how Trump’s America First agenda can WIN BIG in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania:
“We have to run up the score with voters who recognize that they have been left behind by the economic policies of Joe Biden…His energy policies have been at war with… pic.twitter.com/HzJYbWHbRF
— William Martin (@wsmartin218) June 9, 2024
Democrats have just 47 seats in the Senate, which is fewer than the 49 seats held by Republicans, but they maintain the majority thanks to the support of independents who caucus with them. A number of races this year could tilt the balance of power in the GOP’s favor.
Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Bob Casey (D-PA) are running for re-election while the Michigan Senate contest is open as Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is not seeking another term. David McCormick won the GOP primary in Pennsylvania. The GOP primaries in Wisconsin and Michigan are set to happen next month. All three contests are rated “Lean D” by The Cook Political Report, but Vance remains bullish.
“There’s a real opportunity for us to run up the score here to win those important electoral votes” in the White House race and to “elect a few really good guys to the United States Senate,” Vance argued on Sunday. He also said, “And I think that is the most important part of our country.”
Vance is one of the Republicans that Trump is considering as a running mate as he runs for a second term in the White House. Trump’s campaign has reportedly sent vetting materials to Vance, as well as to North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), House Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), and former Cabinet member Ben Carson.
During his appearance on Fox News, Vance talked about campaigning with Trump on the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the excitement he witnessed from supporters of the former president. He also said there are “a couple of very basic issues driving the election” that include border security, stopping cartels from trafficking fentanyl, and restoring a more affordable economy for Americans.
“There are just some basic things where if you compare the success of the Trump administration to the failure of the Biden administration — you know, sometimes this stuff is hard, Maria, but actually have seen it. We saw four years of Trump, we saw four years of Biden, and I think a lot of Americans are saying take me back to peace and prosperity, which is what Donald Trump delivered,” he said.
