EXCLUSIVE: Thune Says GOP Needs To Craft ‘Winning’ Message On Economy, Cost Of Living Ahead Of Midterms
After Democrats won a key election Tuesday night, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects Republicans to be laser-focused on affordability issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Thune said that while Democrats’ strong electoral performance should be taken with a grain of salt given the poor quality of Republican candidates in some races, the main takeaway for Republicans should be crafting a “winning” message over the next year. The majority leader added that means talking more about inflation, economic growth and jobs — and he believes Republicans are well-positioned to win the debate in voters’ eyes. (RELATED: Top Trump adviser admits Tuesday’s GOP election was botched and needs to focus on affordability for 2026)
“Those are the issues that people are clearly focused on,” Thune told the Daily Caller News Foundation Wednesday in an interview in his board room. “And I think we have a good answer.”
In New York, Virginia and New Jersey, most voters cited the economy or cost of living as their top issue, according to exit polls.
Even though Republicans secured a winning trio in 2024, amid voter dissatisfaction with former President Joe Biden’s economic approach, some voters still appear to feel stuck.
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey released Sunday, found that six in 10 Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy. Roughly the same percentage of respondents attributed a “large” or “good” share of responsibility for the current inflation rate to the president.
If Republicans fail to prevent Democratic gains in the midterms, Trump’s policy agenda could stagnate in the final two years of his term.
Thune argued that the fundamentals are in place for Republicans to deliver a compelling economic message before November 2026.
He cited the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — also known as tax cuts for working families — as an example of how Republicans will talk about cost-of-living relief.
“The economic benefits of this will continue to play out in the worker economy,” Thune told the DCNF, mentioning popular provisions in the budget law, including new tax breaks for tipped workers, overtime employees and seniors.
“It really depends on who is better at economics,” Thune added. “Once we have the opportunity to get our message across, it will become clear who it is.”
Many of the policy changes in the Republican budget bill are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and some Americans should see the benefits when they file their taxes early next year.
The majority leader also hinted that Republicans could take additional legislative action in the coming months to address Americans’ concerns about pocketbook issues.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: Supporters attend the election watch party for Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani at the Brooklyn Paramount on November 4, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Republicans are also expected to use Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s mayor-elect, as a foil after he was elected leader of America’s most populous city on Tuesday night.
Thune argued that the 34-year-old socialist is “the face of the modern Democratic Party” and said his far-left image will be toxic in most parts of the country. (RELATED: Here’s What Mayor Mamdani Can (and Can’t) Accomplish on Day One)
Democrats are trying to take control of the Senate in the midterms. The party must lose four seats and maintain its positions in Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire to regain the majority.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if his views, given their distance from the mainstream, become the subject of campaign ads,” Thune told DCNF. “It’s inevitable.”
“I suspect that if he has the opportunity to govern and implement some of these ideas, you will understand why socialism is something that this country rejects,” Thune continued.
Trump also indicated Wednesday that he would speak more about affordability issues after Tuesday night’s election results.
“We have the greatest economy right now, a lot of people don’t see it,” Trump said Wednesday during a speech at the American Business Forum. “These are things that need to be talked about. They don’t just happen. It’s wonderful to do them, but if people don’t talk about them, then you won’t do very well in elections.”
“Affordability is our goal,” Trump also wrote on Truth Social.
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