Favorability ratings for former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump tell a drastically different story as both politicians travel to states with competitive midterm races ahead of the election on November 3. The campaign rallies to drum up support and increase voter turnout for their respective parties come as Republicans seek to defend their House and Senate majorities and Democrats look to capitalize on competitive races that could flip control of both chambers to their favor. As Obama and Trump hit the campaign trail this week, recent polls offer a glimpse into how voters view them and whether either can provide a boost to candidates in closely contested races.
Obama visited Michigan and Ohio over the weekend in support of Democratic candidates on the ballot, while Trump rallied on behalf of Republicans in Michigan on Sunday. On Wednesday, Obama is set to visit Georgia, a state where Trump also made a stop over the weekend. Obama will be campaigning with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms at the event.
The three states are home to some of the most competitive Senate races this election cycle. In Ohio, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted are competing in a hotly contested race. In Michigan, former Representative Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed are vying for the state’s open Senate seat.
In Georgia, Democrats are fighting to defend Ossoff’s seat against Republican challenger Mike Collins. Tight gubernatorial races are also on the ballot, including the Ohio race between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton. The states have played important roles in both presidents' political careers.
Obama won both Ohio and Michigan in his 2008 and 2012 presidential victories. Trump later won both states in 2016 and carried Ohio again in 2020 and 2024. While Michigan backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, Trump reclaimed the state in 2024, highlighting its status as a closely watched swing state.
Obama never won Georgia in either of his presidential campaigns. Trump won the state in his first presidential campaign in 2016, but Democrats reclaimed it in 2020 with former President Joe Biden securing the state in that election. However, Trump again won Georgia in the 2024 election that brought him back to the White House.
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