Republicans split over using Michigan wins to brand Democrats socialist
What's new: Reuters found 5 of 11 GOP House campaigns embraced the attack line, while 6 treated inflation and gas prices as stronger issues.
Republicans moved quickly to cast Democrats as further left after progressive victories in Michigan primaries, but party strategists are divided over whether anti-socialism attacks will sway swing voters in November. Donald Trump targeted US Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed after his win over Haley Stevens, while House Republicans also highlighted William Lawrence's self-described socialist leanings after he won in Michigan's 7th District. Reuters interviews with advisers to 11 competitive Republican House campaigns found five leaning into the socialism message and six viewing it skeptically or as secondary. Those advisers argued that high gas prices, living costs and Trump's slipping support during the war with Iran may matter more to voters than ideological labels.