Some Republican strategists and local party officials say they want President Donald Trump and the GOP to focus on the economy and cost-of-living concerns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, warning that renewed attention to 2020 election disputes could distract from issues they believe matter more to swing voters.
President Donald Trump has continued to elevate concerns about U.S. elections and the 2020 presidential contest, including promoting the Trump-backed SAVE America Act, a House-passed measure that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and add new identification-related requirements.
At the same time, some Republican strategists and local party officials say they would rather see the party’s midterm message center on inflation and the cost of living.
“I’m always one to believe you should look forward, not backward,” said Charlie Gerow, a Pennsylvania-based Republican strategist.
Todd Gillman, who is identified as chair of the Monroe County Republican Party in Michigan, voiced a similar view in remarks reported by POLITICO, saying he understood the impulse to revisit the issue but wanted the party to move forward and focus on broadly shared concerns.
Polling has also suggested that pocketbook issues are at the top of many voters’ minds. A February POLITICO poll cited in the report found that the cost of living ranked as a leading concern for respondents, outpacing those who prioritized threats to U.S. democracy.
Not all Republicans agree that the party should downplay election-related issues. Some GOP officials have expressed support for additional scrutiny of election administration, including in Nevada and Michigan, according to POLITICO.
A White House spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said the president supports steps aimed at strengthening confidence in elections, including “totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters.”
The SAVE America Act has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and voting-rights groups, who argue the documentation requirements could make it harder for eligible Americans to register and vote. Republicans and the White House argue the measure is necessary to bolster confidence in election integrity.
GOP strategist Buzz Brockway described the renewed focus on election disputes as a political distraction, telling POLITICO that voters he speaks with are more focused on the economy and energy prices.
