Thune to ramp up midterm campaign stops as Senate Republicans push to hold on to majority

Updated on: September 29, 2026 / 3:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — Senate Majority Leader John Thune is set to travel to several states with key Senate races in the coming weeks as the GOP fights to hold on to its majority in the upper chamber.

Thune will travel to North Carolina on Thursday, with stops to follow in Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina, Ohio and two visits to Iowa, he told CBS News in an interview. He also said he would be making some fundraising swings. Politico first reported on Thune's travel plans.

"I've told all our candidates if it's useful, if I can come in and help you in any way, I will," Thune said in his office near the Senate floor. "If it's not, I won't, and I'm fine with that."

The majority leader traveled to Georgia last week to campaign with Rep. Mike Collins, who's looking to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in the Peach State. And he cited fundraising events he attended in New York earlier this week, as he gears up for a heavier travel schedule after the Senate leaves town later this week.

"If it's a fundraising event, sometimes if…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/