Senior Republican lawmakers are growing more worried about losing control of the US House of Representatives in the midterm elections. Some party members now believe it may be too late to save their majority. They are focusing on limiting losses and keeping control of the Senate.
Five senior Republicans shared their concerns in private talks. They spoke without giving their names so they could discuss the party’s position openly. All five said the House race had become much harder for their party.
One senior House Republican said the main goal was now to save as many Republican seats as possible. The lawmaker also said President Donald Trump was making the campaign more difficult by putting himself at the center of the election.
“President Trump has made this election all about himself,” the lawmaker said. “Now we have to survive that political storm.”
Another Republican member said campaign ads showed that Democrats were gaining ground. The lawmaker expects Democrats to win about 10 more seats. Such a gain would be enough to give Democrats control of the House.
Republicans are also facing close races in states where they hoped new voting maps would help them. Florida and Texas have changed their congressional districts, but some Republican candidates are still struggling to hold their seats.
The concerns have led party leaders to rethink their campaign plans. Republican groups have already reduced spending in several House races they once hoped to win.
Among the seats now seen as difficult to defend are those held by Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa and Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey. Trump won both districts in the 2024 presidential election.
The party also stopped spending to defend an Omaha-area district held by retiring Representative Don Bacon last week. Bacon has often disagreed with Trump and the White House.
Trump officials and senior Republican campaign staff may cut support for more candidates in the coming days. They want to move money to races where campaign ads could have a greater impact.
Republican groups have also stepped back from several contests where they once hoped to defeat Democratic lawmakers. The shift reflects growing pressure to use limited funds in the most competitive races.
The party’s concerns extend beyond the House. Republicans are spending heavily to defend Senate seats in Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. These states have often supported Trump and his political movement in recent elections.
Keeping control of the Senate has become a key goal for Republican leaders. Even if the party loses the House, a Senate majority would allow Republicans to retain power in one chamber of Congress.
Losing both chambers would create more challenges for Trump’s plans. The House plays a major role in passing federal spending bills, approving laws, and overseeing government work.
The Senate also votes on legislation and confirms many senior government officials and federal judges. Control of both chambers can shape how easily a president carries out his agenda.
Bacon said the reasons for the party’s political problems were clear. His comments came as Republicans face questions about their campaign strategy and the effect of the president’s role in close races.
Candidates must also deal with local concerns while facing national debate over Trump and his policies. In closely divided districts, those issues may shape how voters judge Republican lawmakers.
Party leaders now have to decide which races deserve more money and campaign staff. Spending more in one district can leave fewer resources for another, forcing them to make difficult choices.
Democrats need to gain a relatively small number of seats to take control of the House. Still, the final result will depend on races across the country, and the private concerns of Republican lawmakers do not determine the outcome.
The Senate contest remains another major test for both parties. Republicans are working to protect seats in states where they now face stronger challenges than they had expected.
For now, Republican leaders are focused on limiting losses in the House and defending their Senate majority. The results of the midterm elections will decide whether the party keeps control of either chamber or faces a shift in power in Congress.
