Thune campaigns nationwide to defend GOP Senate majority

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is making a final campaign push for Republicans as the party faces a tougher-than-expected fight to retain its Senate majority. In Iowa, he campaigned with Rep. Ashley Hinson, whose tight race against Democrat Josh Turek has become especially consequential; Thune said her victory was essential to keeping the majority. Republican candidates are confronting voter frustration with President Trump, the war in Iran and high fuel and grocery costs, while Thune also faces criticism from the party’s base and Trump over the Senate’s failure to pass voter legislation. The campaign underscores Thune’s effort to advance Trump’s agenda while preserving the Senate’s independence, as he and Hinson argue voters face a clear choice between competing political paths.