As the 2026 midterm elections loom, the Republican Party is grappling with the question of Donald Trump’s influence over its candidates. While some hopefuls have attempted to distance themselves from the president, GOP strategist Susan Del Percio asserts that many are too intimidated by his dominance to make substantial changes.

Amid dwindling approval ratings for Trump and shifting political tides, a select group of Republican candidates is taking tentative steps away from his shadow. Figures such as Florida gubernatorial contender Byron Donalds have noticeably removed Trump from their campaign platforms, signaling a desire to mitigate potential backlash from moderate voters.

Other Republicans, including Representative María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers, have begun to publicly break from some of Trump’s more contentious policies. However, Del Percio cautioned against interpreting this as a broader movement away from the former president’s influence.

Speaking on MS NOW, Del Percio highlighted the fear many Republicans harbor when it comes to confronting Trump directly. “Most Republicans are afraid to do it because they worry about primaries in 18 months,” she said, noting that those in competitive districts feel particularly vulnerable.

Del Percio, who has a background in Republican strategy, emphasized that the party’s base remains strongly loyal to Trump. “Until he’s out of office in January of 2029, he will influence primaries; there’s no question about it,” she warned.

This atmosphere of apprehension is particularly evident among incumbents, who, despite facing potential re-election challenges, are wary of alienating Trump’s robust supporter base. As some candidates navigate this tricky landscape, others are finding ways to embrace Trump’s popularity while differing on specific issues.

Take New York Representative Mike Lawler, for instance. He is running an aggressive re-election campaign in a district that narrowly favored Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election. Del Percio noted that while Lawler’s approach includes embracing Trump when it serves his political interests, he’s not shying away from critiquing the president when necessary.

The internal conflict within the GOP not only threatens to complicate individual campaigns but also poses significant implications for the party’s overall strategy going into the elections. With many candidates focusing on local issues, the larger question of Trump’s influence looms large over their strategies.

Del Percio articulated that the Republicans’ reliance on Trump, despite his declining approval ratings, reflects a broader trend in the party’s dynamics. “Trump poses a risk for Republicans with his cratering approval,” she noted, pointing out that many candidates have “very, very little to run on” outside of his endorsements.

With Trump’s political clout remaining potent, many candidates are resigned to the idea that they will have to navigate these complexities in both the immediate and long-term future. Trump’s endorsement often carries significant weight in Republican primaries, prompting fears among candidates of losing critical support within their constituencies.

As the midterms approach, the Republican Party finds itself at a crossroads. The looming specter of Trump—both a liability and an asset—continues to shape the decisions of candidates across the nation.

If the current trends hold, we’ll likely see more candidates trialing their distance from Trump as they balance the need to appeal to mainstream voters while not undermining their standing among the party’s core supporters.

The split between loyalty to Trump and the necessity of appealing to a broader electorate highlights the challenges within the party. As they navigate these turbulent waters, the GOP must find a way to reconcile these conflicting interests ahead of the upcoming elections.

In her analysis, Del Percio emphasized the degree of uncertainty facing Republican candidates. Without a clear strategy moving forward, the risks of political missteps could be detrimental when considering the overall election landscape.

As the campaign season heats up, the question remains whether candidates can effectively chart a course that acknowledges Trump’s influence without completely prioritizing it over their electoral ambitions.

The outcome of the midterm elections could redefine the Republican Party’s relationship with its former president, demonstrating either an essential transition or a deepening entrenchment in Trump’s political legacy.

In this climate of fear and divided loyalty, the potential for significant shifts in the Republican strategy will become increasingly apparent, setting the tone for future campaigns and possibly reshaping the party for years to come.

With Trump’s impact looming large, it’s clear that how candidates act—and react—will be crucial in determining not only their individual success but the future unity and direction of the Republican Party itself.