Trump opens midterm campaign push in Texas and Oklahoma

Donald Trump began a midterm campaign push with events in Texas and Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, opening a planned monthlong effort in Republican-friendly territory as the party seeks to retain control of Congress. He was scheduled to continue with an appearance in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday, October 2, but the supplied reports do not confirm that the event took place. Trump’s first stop was a truck facility in Denton, Texas, followed by a rally in Durant, Oklahoma. He described the travel as the start of a sprint to Election Day, November 3. At the Denton event, he said his heart was in the campaign effort. In Durant, he urged supporters to encourage people in other states to vote and acknowledged concern about Republican prospects in several states. The campaign push comes after a relatively light September on the trail, according to one report, and amid signs of strain for Republicans in races that had appeared secure. Some candidates have taken positions that differ from Trump’s on issues including the Iran war and data centers.