VP Vance: I Keep Reminding Republicans That "We're Swimming Upstream" With Midterm Elections
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2026/10/13/vp_vance_i_keep_reminding_republicans_that_were_swimming_upstream_with_midterm_elections.html

Vice President JD Vance told reporters on the way to Texas, where he will campaign for GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton, that he is trying to lower expectations for Republicans in the midterm elections.

REPORTER: Republicans are pulling money out of New Jersey and some Iowa races. Does that mean the House cannot maintain control for Republicans?

VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE: New Jersey is a very blue state. It would always be a really big thing for us to win in New Jersey. There are a number of races --for example, in Minnesota, traditionally blue areas, where we have a chance.

The nature of the election is sometimes races have more of an individual rather than national character. I feel good about where we are.

We know that we're swimming upstream. I try to remind Republican voters all the time, it is historically unusual for a president who controls-whose party controls the Senate and the House-usually the party will lose the midterm elections.

We know we are swimming against some serious historical trends here. We have as good a chance as I have ever seen to defy those historical trends.

We are not giving up anywhere. We are just trying to win the races where we can and focus where we can.

We'll see you in Texas. Thank you.