President Donald Trump was in the midst of his fourth political rally in three days when he asked a close associate the question that had been troubling him for some time: How did the Republican Party get in this bad of shape?

Democratic state Rep. Josh Turek is beating Trump-endorsed Ashley Hinson for the seat of outgoing GOP Sen. Joni Ernst in Iowa in a close Senate race, with a MS NOW poll stating Turek is on 47.1 percent to Hinson on 46.5 percent.

Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

While the president attributed sweeping losses to the fact that he was not on the ballot, others in his party dismissed his explanation and pinned blame squarely on him.

President Donald Trump reflects on his campaign blitz, speaking at 29 rallies across the country over 32 days.

CNBC’s “Squawk Box” team discusses the midterms and what may be in store for the White House with Jim Messina, campaign manager of President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, and Mick Mulvaney, former White House Chief of Staff during President Trump’s first term.