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Vance on the Campaign Trail
· Confirmed
In Short: Vice President JD Vance visited Harlingen, Texas, to campaign for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
Vice President JD Vance visited Harlingen, Texas, to campaign for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, according to the Washington Reporter. The visit was seen as a strategic move to bolster Republican candidates in the Rio Grande Valley, a key battleground area.
Flores, a Republican candidate for Congress, told the Washington Reporter that Vance's visit sends a powerful message to South Texas voters. 'South Texas is a national priority, and the road to protecting our Republican majority runs straight through the Rio Grande Valley,' Flores said, emphasizing the importance of a strong economy, secure border, and leadership that prioritizes hardworking families.
Vance's visit comes as Democrats are stepping up their efforts in traditionally Republican-leaning states. Senate Democrats' top super PAC announced a $1.2 million ad campaign in Mississippi, boosting Democratic candidate Scott Colom and criticizing Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith as a 'do-nothing' incumbent.
Vance's campaign strategy includes rallying Republican candidates and encouraging them to highlight the benefits of Trump administration policies. 'You're telling jokes, you're enjoying it. That energy — people pick up on it. So, get out there and campaign with your friends,' Vance told Fox News.
Vance also emphasized the importance of Republican candidates in safe districts contributing money to those in competitive races. 'Just as importantly, Republicans in safe districts who have no real opposition from the left should contribute money to the campaigns of fellow Republicans who are in competitive districts,' he said.
The visit also comes amid reports that Vance was not enthusiastic about the Iran war, although he has been a loyal defender of the president since it began. 'We have banned corporate tycoons from buying up our housing stock because we hold the simple belief that American homes ought to go to the American people,' Vance said, highlighting some of the administration's policies.
Meanwhile, Representative James Talarico, who recently went to Ohio to receive treatment for mental health issues, has denied claims that he was hospitalized. 'Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope,' the center said in an Oct. 11 X post.
Talarico's campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, called the claims a 'lie designed to promote a pathetic conspiracy theory.' Talarico has said he was at his Austin, Texas, home, recuperating from the flu at the time.
The midterm elections are approaching, and Republicans face a challenging landscape. 'We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here,' Vance said, emphasizing the importance of rallying the Republican base.
Vance's visit to Texas is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to boost Republican candidates in key battleground states. 'I get to talk about how crazy the Democrats are,' Trump said, kicking off a 32-day campaign blitz leading up to the midterms.
What's confirmed
- Vice President JD Vance visited Harlingen, Texas, to campaign for Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, according to the Washington Reporter. The visit was seen as a strategic move to bolster Republican candidates in the Rio Grande Valley, a key battleground area.
- Flores, a Republican candidate for Congress, told the Washington Reporter that Vance's visit sends a powerful message to South Texas voters. 'South Texas is a national priority, and the road to protecting our Republican majority runs straight through the Rio Grande Valley,' Flores said, emphasizing the importance of a strong economy, secure border, and leadership that prioritizes hardworking families.
- Vance's visit comes as Democrats are stepping up their efforts in traditionally Republican-leaning states. Senate Democrats' top super PAC announced a $1.2 million ad campaign in Mississippi, boosting Democratic candidate Scott Colom and criticizing Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith as a 'do-nothing' incumbent.
- Vance's campaign strategy includes rallying Republican candidates and encouraging them to highlight the benefits of Trump administration policies. 'You're telling jokes, you're enjoying it. That energy — people pick up on it. So, get out there and campaign with your friends,' Vance told Fox News.
- Vance also emphasized the importance of Republican candidates in safe districts contributing money to those in competitive races. 'Just as importantly, Republicans in safe districts who have no real opposition from the left should contribute money to the campaigns of fellow Republicans who are in competitive districts,' he said.
- The visit also comes amid reports that Vance was not enthusiastic about the Iran war, although he has been a loyal defender of the president since it began. 'We have banned corporate tycoons from buying up our housing stock because we hold the simple belief that American homes ought to go to the American people,' Vance said, highlighting some of the administration's policies.
- Meanwhile, Representative James Talarico, who recently went to Ohio to receive treatment for mental health issues, has denied claims that he was hospitalized. 'Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope,' the center said in an Oct. 11 X post.
- Talarico's campaign spokesperson, JT Ennis, called the claims a 'lie designed to promote a pathetic conspiracy theory.' Talarico has said he was at his Austin, Texas, home, recuperating from the flu at the time.
- The midterm elections are approaching, and Republicans face a challenging landscape. 'We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here,' Vance said, emphasizing the importance of rallying the Republican base.
- Vance's visit to Texas is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to boost Republican candidates in key battleground states. 'I get to talk about how crazy the Democrats are,' Trump said, kicking off a 32-day campaign blitz leading up to the midterms.
What's still developing
- Vicente Gonzalez (D., Texas) next month, sees Vice President JD Vance as an asset on the campaign trail, especially in his hotly-contested race.
- Lindsey Graham of South Carolina joined him in Ohio while he was campaigning for the Senate in 2022.
- One source told Fox News Digital that Vance stayed after his remarks in tacit encouragement for House Republicans to pledge more money to their campaign arm, which several did.
- " Lindsey Graham comes out — I didn't know Lindsey Graham at all, and you guys know how the campaign trail is in the final stretches. You wake up in a crappy hotel, you haven't seen your wife, your kids in a few days, and it's a lot more fun when you have some company out there."
- Tom Cotton, R-Ark., discuss the midterm election campaign as Vice President JD Vance delivers a high-stakes pitch from the White House podium to boost Republican candidates.
- Vance drew perhaps the most difficult assignment at the Republican midterm convention, a role he has repeatedly played since taking office and will be called upon to reprise again in 2028.
- “So people who love some of our policies, but maybe don’t agree with others.” To speak to these voters, Vance invoked the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the anniversary of his brutal, on-camera murder.
- Senate Majority PAC announced a $1.2 million ad campaign in the state through Election Day, beginning with a 30-second spot that boosts prosecutor Scott Colom as a Democrat who will “fight corruption in both parties” and casts GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith as a “do-nothing” incumbent.
- “Donald Trump and JD Vance started a deadly and costly war with Iran that sent the economy spiraling and pushed prices even higher, and now — in the final stretch to the midterms — they’re desperately pleading with voters to 'give (them) another chance,'” said DNC deputy communications director Kendall Witmer.
- Talarico said he was off the campaign trail for several days in early October while recovering from the flu at his Texas home.
- “During my recorded call, an individual identifying themselves as a female facility employee reportedly stated that Talarico was no longer a patient and had been discharged within the previous 24–48 hours,” Amacher wrote in his post.
- He also posted audio from the conversations that he said took place on Oct. 10.