Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.
* The latest national NBC News poll found Donald Trump underwater, both in terms of his overall approval rating (47%) and in his handling of the economy (44%). The latest Reuters/Ipsos and Quinnipiac University surveys found the president’s public support even lower. (Click any of the links for more information on the polls’ methodologies and margins of error.)
* But while the Republican is struggling as his second term gets underway, Democrats are not capitalizing: Recent polls show the Democratic Party’s favorability rating reaching their lowest point in a generation.
* Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu continues to face questions about a possible U.S. Senate candidacy, and the Republican is leaving the door ajar. In comments late last week to Fox News, Sununu said: “I’m not saying it’s a high probability. ‘Can’t wait to jump in.’ Definitely not.”
* On a related note, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will soon wrap up his second term, and his fellow Republicans are being unsubtle in urging the governor to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the 2026 election cycle.
* As Democrats eyeing the 2028 presidential race quietly participate in “the invisible primary,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear spoke at a House Democrats’ retreat last week and expressed his disapproval of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent podcast guests.
* And in Wisconsin, Democrat Rebecca Cooke ran a competitive race last year against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, and last week, Cooke announced that she’ll seek a rematch next year. It’s not yet clear whether she’ll face any primary rivals, though given her 2024 performance, Cooke will be heavily favored to win the Democratic nomination.
