Battleground Republicans break with Trump on key issues in final midterm sprint

By Fox News · Fox News

Battleground Republicans are breaking from President Donald Trump with increasing frequency as Election Day draws closer and the party fights to protect its congressional majorities. With just three weeks until voters head to the polls to decide who controls Congress for the latter half of Trump’s term, some Republicans are putting distance between themselves and Trump as the party faces significant political headwinds. Veteran GOP strategist Doug Heye told Fox News Digital that such a strategy at this juncture was "not a surprise." "It happens in midterms when presidents aren’t popular," Heye said. "Add to that the more outlandish things he’s done — often on things that have nothing to do with lowering costs, ending the war with Iran, etc. — this was bound to happen." TRUMP VANISHES FROM GOP SENATOR'S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE AS POLL NUMBERS PLUNGE WEEKS BEFORE ELECTION It’s a similar situation to what’s played out with past presidents during a midterm election year, most recently with former President Joe Biden in 2022. And the Republican National Committee (RNC) is arguing that the party is united behind Trump, while conceding that GOP candidates have individual stakes. "Unlike the Democrats who are in a full-blown civil war with extremists, Republicans remain united behind the president's agenda of cutting taxes, lowering drug costs and securing our communities. We are laser-focused on winning, and our candidates will run the races necessary to best represent their districts and prevent Democrats from taking control," RNC spokeswoman Natalie Baldessarre said. And running their own races is what several are notably doing, balancing individuality with their support for Trump and the GOP base. At least two House Republicans, Reps. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., have touted conflict with Trump in advertisements. TRUMP-LINKED SUPER PAC PULLS FUNDING FROM 2 HOUSE REPUBLICANS AS GOP FIGHTS TO KEEP MAJORITY Kiggans is out with a new ad touting herself as "one of…