Zoom: At an event for Republican Marty O’Donnell, who is challenging Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Scalise argued that his presence in the district was proof that Republicans are still on the offensive.
- “If this is a horrible cycle for Republicans, then why am I here?” Scalise told supporters at a Las Vegas country club Thursday.
- “It’s a winnable race,” he said. But MAGA Inc., a super PAC allied with President Trump, pulled nearly $1 million in advertising from the race last week.
The big picture: House Democrats lead the wildcard poll by eight points in the new Washington Post-ABC poll. Trump’s approval is at a record high of 31% (Reuters/Ipsos) and 72% say the country is on the wrong track (Post/ABC).
- He will make 56 campaign stops between August and Election Day as part of what he has dubbed the “Save America Tour,” complete with T-shirts emblazoned with a map of his travels.
- “It’s better than a rock band,” Scalise told Axios in an in-flight interview while campaigning in Arizona and Nevada last week.
Scalise identified 35 competitive districtsincluding 15 seats held by the Democrats, the Republicans believe they have a chance of overthrowing them.
- He highlighted Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) as races he will watch closely to determine how the night might unfold.
- Pro-Scalise super PAC Save American Freedom is also launching a $3.5 million voting campaign and digital advertising blitz to help 52 House Republicans, Axios’ Alex Isenstadt reports.
- Among the Republicans who benefit are Reps. Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.), as well as Republican candidates Ralph Alvarado (KY-6), Alex Mealer (TX-9) and Jenny Costa Honeycutt (SC-1).
The plot: The Republican Party’s withdrawal in some districts has fueled speculation that Republicans will give up the House to save the Senate. But Scalise argued it would still benefit his members.
- He pointed to Iowa, where the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC allied with House Republicans, gained financial support from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ district. Senate Republicans then bought Ashley Hinson’s air time.
- “Actually you get three for one,“ Scalise said, arguing that moving ad time to Hinson would benefit Miller-Meeks, Rep. Zach Nunn and the Republican running to succeed Hinson in his House district.
- “You’ll probably see this in other areas as well,” Scalise said. He pointed to the Senate elections in North Carolina and Texas, where he acknowledged “challenges” at the top of the list.
The bottom line: Scalise isn’t ready to look beyond Election Day, even though Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) spoke publicly about that scenario last week.
- Johnson has said he intends to remain the top Republican in the House, even if Democrats gain a majority. The race for the top job could become a three-way fight between Johnson, Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
- Scalise has repeatedly declined to say whether he would support Johnson for minority leader or consider running himself.
- “Anyone who plans to plan our defeat is in the wrong business,” Scalise told Axios.
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