US Midterms: Trump Returns To Ohio As Obama Rallies Democrats In Georgia In Final Campaign Push

US President Donald Trump and former president Barack Obama intensified their rival campaign efforts on Wednesday as the November 3 midterm elections approach, with rising living costs, the Iran war and control of Congress dominating the final week.

Trump returned to Ohio for the third time in a month to support Republicans, including Senator Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Obama rallied Democrats in Georgia alongside Senator Jon Ossoff, who is seeking re-election, and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, who could become the first Black woman elected governor in the United States.

Democrats hold a national polling lead. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted October 22-26 found 47 per cent of voters supporting Democrats against 36 per cent for Republicans. Trump's approval rating stood at 32 per cent, while 73 per cent of respondents said the cost of living was heading in the wrong direction. More than 36.4 million Americans had already voted early, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab.

Obama accused Trump of focusing on White House renovations rather than inflation, healthcare and the Iran war. He urged Georgians to elect Bottoms and re-elect Ossoff, presenting the election as an opportunity to hold the administration accountable.

In Ohio, Ramaswamy faces Democrat Amy Acton in the governor's race, which has been overshadowed by a controversial advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling her a liar. Arthur lost custody of her children after her husband was indicted for raping Acton when she was 12. Acton has said she has not seen her mother since 1978. Trump defended the advertisement, while several Republicans, including Husted, distanced themselves from it.

Husted faces former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown in a competitive Senate contest. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate advantage, while Democrats are considered better positioned to win control of the House.

Trump also called for Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola to face prosecution over allegations that her campaign helped recruit an independent candidate with a name similar to Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. Peltola's campaign denied involvement, and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an investigation.

Vice President JD Vance is campaigning in North Carolina, where Republican Michael Whatley faces former Democratic governor Roy Cooper in the race to succeed retiring Senator Thom Tillis.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to join Trump in Ohio. His participation has drawn attention because secretaries of state traditionally avoid domestic political campaigning for protocol and legal reasons.