The Republican candidates walking a Trump tightrope

With the November 3 congressional elections approaching, Republican candidates face a dilemma over President Donald Trump's insistence that the economy is thriving. Trump says his economic record is the best ever and that complaints about affordability are a Democratic "hoax." Yet inflation stands at 3. 4%, ahead of wage growth, gasoline averages $4. 37 a gallon, and beef prices have hit a record. A YouGov survey found 63% think the economy is getting worse, and an AP/NORC poll found only 17% approve of his handling of living costs and 26% of his economic stewardship generally, according to BBC.

Many Republicans are responding by speaking directly about prices. Congressman Byron Donalds, a close Trump ally running for Florida governor with the president's endorsement, is touring the state on what he calls an affordability campaign. He told a church audience that success has become expensive, never mentioned Trump in his speech, and heard voters raise housing, insurance and healthcare. Echelon Insights communications director Avery James says his firm's surveys keep finding cost of living is what drives Republican-leaning voters to turn out.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a rural affordability roundtable, and Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a Senate candidate, released an affordability agenda.

Summarized by PolitiKool from BBC’s reporting. Read the full story at BBC →