Obama, Trump stump in battlegrounds as midterms near

With the November midterms approaching, the economy and affordability remain major voter concerns as President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama campaign for opposing candidates in battleground states. Obama has criticized Trump’s economic record and policies, while Trump has defended his agenda and predicted a Republican victory; the contest could determine control of Congress and shape the final two years of Trump’s presidency. Obama has also criticized gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy over an ad campaign involving the mother of his Democratic rival, Amy Acton. In Alaska, President Trump has called on Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola to leave the race amid an allegation that her campaign helped recruit an independent contender.