Sen. Tim Scott Reminds MAGA Base That Trump’s Agenda Continues as GOP Eyes Senate Majority in 2026

In a bid to expand the Republican Senate majority in the 2026 midterm elections, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Sen. Tim Scott is working to mobilize Trump supporters who traditionally don’t participate in non-presidential elections.

“Donald Trump is on the ballot, and that’s why he’s been so active around the country,” Scott told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. The South Carolina Republican, a known Trump ally, emphasized that he anticipates seeing the president campaigning extensively nationwide.

The strategy appears to be gaining traction as Trump has already begun holding campaign-style events. Last Friday, the president made a stop in battleground North Carolina for the second leg of his affordability tour. North Carolina is poised to host one of the most consequential and expensive Senate races in 2026, following Republican Sen. Thom Tillis’s announcement that he will not seek reelection.

Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee Chair and current frontrunner for the GOP Senate nomination in North Carolina, joined Trump at Friday’s event. Whatley underscored the significance of Trump’s involvement, stating, “We’re certainly going to need him to be on the ballot.”

“When you think about what happens if we lose the House, if we lose the Senate, if the Democrats take over, and they go right back to investigations and hoaxes and impeachments, that is really, truly the president and his legacy are going to be on the ballot,” Whatley said.

Economic concerns, particularly affordability issues, continue to dominate the political landscape. While Republicans leveraged rising prices to secure major victories in 2024 – retaking the White House and Senate while maintaining control of the House – inflation remains persistent. Democrats have capitalized on affordability concerns in recent months, driving their strong performance in the 2025 elections and special contests throughout the year.

Scott, however, believes Republicans will regain momentum on economic issues by 2026. “I’ve said 2026 is a year of affordability, and the great news is President Trump has been producing time and time again,” he asserted. The NRSC chair highlighted tax cut provisions in the GOP’s recent domestic policy legislation signed by Trump, predicting that “consumers all across the country will see a more affordable economy because of President Trump and the Senate majority and the House majority in the hands of the Republican Party.”

Democrats contest this narrative. Lauren French, communications director at the Senate Majority PAC, the leading Senate Democratic outside group, agreed that 2026 would focus on affordability but argued it would be “because Americans can’t afford Donald Trump and Republican policies that continue to drive up the cost of groceries, basic goods, and, right now, Christmas presents.”

French criticized Republicans as “out-of-touch,” suggesting they “don’t understand what working families are facing,” and pointed to Democratic overperformance in recent elections as evidence.

The 2026 electoral map includes 35 Senate seats, with Republicans defending 22 of them, including special elections in Florida and Ohio. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Scott remains optimistic about expanding the GOP’s current 53-47 majority.

The NRSC’s top targets include open Democrat-held seats in Michigan and New Hampshire, along with Sen. Jon Ossoff’s seat in Georgia, whom Republicans consider particularly vulnerable. Scott also expressed interest in blue-leaning Minnesota, where the GOP is reportedly recruiting former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya.

Defensively, Republicans face challenges in Texas, where a contentious three-way primary is underway, as well as in North Carolina, Maine, and Ohio.

Scott confidently predicted that “54 is clearly within our grasp right now, but with a little bit of luck, 55 is on our side.” The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee offers a contrasting view, with spokesperson Joe Bush asserting that Democrats have “expanded the map and created a path to flip the majority in 2026,” while Republicans face “recruitment failures and messy primaries.”

As both parties position themselves for the crucial midterm battle, the effectiveness of linking Trump to these races – and whether his presence can drive turnout among his supporters in a non-presidential year – will likely prove decisive in determining Senate control after 2026.