With both chambers of Congress out of session, lawmakers are swapping the Capitol for the campaign trail as midterm elections enter their final stretch.
The shift comes at a critical moment, with a slate of high-profile debates scheduled this week that could shape voter perceptions ahead of November.
In Iowa, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson will face Democratic opponent Josh Turek in a debate moderated by Iowa PBS on Wednesday.
The two candidates are competing in a competitive race for Iowa’s U.S. Senate seat, with the outcome drawing national attention.
Hinson, a three-term congresswoman and former TV journalist, has been touting her role as a mother of two and her record working on agricultural issues in Congress.
Among her signature policy positions is advocating for the year-round sale of the biofuel E15, an issue that resonates strongly with Iowa’s farming communities.
Hinson has publicly distanced herself from President Trump on several issues, including the military conflict in Iran, even as Trump has endorsed her campaign.
On Thursday, former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan will meet Democratic progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed for a U.S. Senate debate hosted by Nexstar Group affiliate WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Senate race is among a handful of closely watched contests that analysts believe could help determine control of the upper chamber.
President Trump is expected to continue his red-state midterm tour with a stop Monday in Nebraska, where he will campaign for Sen. Pete Ricketts, who faces independent candidate Dan Osborn.
Republicans are eager to defend Nebraska’s Senate seat as they work to protect and expand their majority heading into what promises to be a fiercely contested election cycle.
The week’s calendar reflects just how quickly the political center of gravity shifts away from Washington when Congress goes on recess, with lawmakers prioritizing voter engagement over legislative business.
Both the Iowa and Michigan debates represent opportunities for candidates to define themselves before large audiences at a moment when many voters are still making up their minds.
