Trump and Clinton Running Opposite Campaigns When It Comes to Down-Ballot Races

ABC News(WASHINGTON) — When it comes to Election Day, it’s not just the furious battle at the top of the ticket that’s at stake, but the presidential candidates appear to be taking very different approaches to their down-ballot colleagues.

Hillary Clinton and other high-profile Democrats are sharing the spotlight with some of those vying for other seats that are up for grabs, and while Donald Trump has tried to make recent calls for support for other Republicans, his earlier comments may make his efforts seem half-hearted.

Trump campaigned in Florida this weekend and touted the work that he could do “along with a Republican House and Senate,” including an immediate repeal of Obamacare and “massive tax reduction.”

But he did not specifically give the local Republican senator — Trump’s former rival Marco Rubio — a shout out.

Trump has previously personally mentioned Rubio, but even that reference on Oct. 11 shows how contentious his relationship with the man he used to call “Little Marco” appears to be.

“Remember when we were in the primary I ran against Marco, Jeb [Bush], all these guys … Hey, look, Marco has been very very nice lately and I hope he wins, I do,” Trump said at an event in Panama City.

Trump has strained relationships with other lawmakers running for re-election. He was famously reluctant to endorse Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and insulted Arizona Sen. John McCain, both of whom are currently leading in their own races.

It isn’t only the more secure races where he is playing a potentially damaging role, however. In addition to his tepid support for Rubio in the Florida race, Trump has also criticized Sen. Kelly Ayotte who is in a close race to hold on to her seat in New Hampshire.

The rocky relationships between the head of the Republican ticket and those running for down ballot races marks a stark contrast with what’s happening on the Democratic side.

Clinton has regularly featured down-ballot candidates at her rallies, typically in the pre-program and occasionally she will go to private events or meetings with them while in town.

She’s amped up her support in recent days, however, as she has included detailed sections of her speech laying out their resume or how their opponents have not stood up to Trump.

One recent example came in Philadelphia when she criticized Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Toomey and praised Democratic challenger Katie McGinty.

Clinton listed off various groups and people that Trump has insulted, saying that Toomey “heard Donald Trump insult” those groups. Though Toomey has not endorsed Trump he has not renounced him completely, saying that he “remain[s] unpersuaded” about who to vote for.

“If he doesn’t have the courage to stand up against Donald Trump after all of this, then how will stand up to special interests and powerful forces that are going to be trying to have their way in Washington?” Clinton said of Toomey on Saturday. “So, it’s important that all of you do everything you can in these last 17 days to make the case to send Katie McGinty to Washington.”

Clinton, as well as President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have attended events supporting down-ballot races or included those running in local races at their rallies for Clinton and her running mate Sen. Tim Kaine.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

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