Political advertisements and campaign events across the United States are highlighting concerns about public safety and immigration as Republicans prepare for the upcoming midterm elections. From coast to coast, party leaders are framing their platforms around rising crime rates, illegal immigration and border security, issues they view as resonant with voters who have grown skeptical of economic conditions and foreign policy challenges.

The messaging strategy comes as Democrats seek to counter by fielding candidates with law enforcement experience and promoting their own anti‑crime proposals. Republicans argue that the current climate offers a rare opening to shift the conversation toward law and order, even as polls indicate broader voter dissatisfaction with living costs and international conflicts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson recently told an audience at Louisiana State University that the nation is experiencing its lowest violent‑crime rate in more than a century, citing a focus on the rule of law and a secure border as achievements. He noted that crime trends have generally declined since the 1990s, with only a temporary increase during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Former President Donald Trump echoed similar themes during a rally in Nebraska, recalling a time when, in his view, borders were porous and crime was rampant.

In several states — including Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Texas and Wisconsin — Republican candidates for governor have attacked their Democratic opponents as soft on crime or warned of potential cuts to police funding. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, for example, criticized Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa, a state representative, for not supporting legislation that would require judges to deny bail to undocumented immigrants charged with violent offenses. Hinojosa has countered by highlighting her background as a civil‑rights lawyer and accusing Abbott of policies that, in her view, infringe on civil liberties.

Congressional races are also incorporating crime narratives. In Virginia’s 1st district, Representative Rob Wittman has questioned the record of his Democratic challenger, prosecutor Shannon Taylor, describing it as insufficiently firm on crime. In Michigan’s 10th district, Republican Michael Bouchard, a former Army captain, has contrasted his service record with that of his opponent, former prosecutor Christina Hines, labeling her policies as “woke, soft on crime, socialist.” In Colorado’s 8th district, Representative Gabe Evans, a former police officer, is emphasizing his law‑enforcement experience against Democratic challenger Manny Rutinel. In Wisconsin’s 3rd district, Representative Derrick Van Orden is portraying his opponent, Rebecca Cooke, as a candidate who would defund the police.

Party strategists hope that by foregrounding crime and disorder, they can re‑engage a base that has felt alienated by economic concerns and appeal to moderate voters who prioritize safety. In response, Democratic campaigns have aired advertisements featuring local sheriffs who endorse their candidates, released safety plans calling for increased police funding and drug‑prevention programs, and pledged to maintain or expand resources for law‑enforcement agencies.

Not all Republicans view the crime focus as a guaranteed advantage. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, a former state attorney general, suggested that the issue has become less salient as other topics dominate headlines, despite what he described as a “huge accomplishment” in achieving a secure border. An AP‑NORC poll conducted in September found that 48 percent of Americans approved of the Republican president’s handling of border security, down from 55 percent a year earlier.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is not seeking reelection, expressed doubt that crime will prove decisive in his state’s upcoming race, noting personal confidence in the safety of his community. Conversely, some Black political leaders have criticized the party’s crime messaging as racially charged, pointing to advertisements that they say echo past dog‑whistle tactics and referencing former President Trump’s use of imagery reminiscent of the 1988 “Willie Horton” campaign.

Democratic officials have sought to counter the Republican narrative by accusing the Trump administration of corruption and of fostering an environment that endangers both citizens and undocumented migrants. They cite incidents such as the deaths of two American protesters in January and the fatal shootings of several undocumented individuals as evidence of the risks associated with hardline immigration enforcement. Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona described the current White House as “the biggest criminal organization” he has observed, while White House spokesperson Lauren Bis warned that “extreme Democrats are trying to deflect from their radical soft‑on‑crime agenda.”

The emphasis on crime and border security reflects a broader effort by one party to shape the national conversation around safety and immigration ahead of critical elections, while the opposing party seeks to frame those same issues as part of a larger critique of the administration’s conduct.