Republican Struggles Highlight Trump’s Influence as Santorum Warns of Future Challenges

By Charlie McCarthy | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 08:56 AM EST

Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., told Newsmax on Wednesday that Republicans face significant challenges in elections when President Donald Trump’s “magic” is not on the ballot. Speaking on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America,” Santorum argued that Trump’s absence from the Virginia and New Jersey governor races hurt the GOP’s performance.

“The fact is Trump wasn’t on the ballot,” Santorum said, citing a pattern since 2016 where Republicans underperform when Trump is not a candidate. He pointed to New Jersey’s race, where Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, attributing the result to low turnout among Trump supporters and weak GOP campaign efforts.

“There are people who vote for Donald Trump, who don’t vote for Republicans,” Santorum claimed. He criticized Trump’s inability to mobilize his base to support other candidates, stating, “Trump has that magic. And unless he [can] start waving some wands to get other people to these people that are loyal to him, to be loyal to folks that help support him, to do what he needs to do, he’s going to have a hard time in Washington, D.C., in the next three years.”

Santorum also addressed Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral race, calling it a sign of growing progressive influence. He warned that Mamdani, backed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, represents a shift toward “the mainstream of the left,” citing his endorsement of Eugene Debs, founder of the American Socialist Party.

The former senator framed Tuesday’s election results as predictable, noting historical trends where Democrats dominate in off-year elections after a presidential win. He criticized Democratic spending advantages and the impact of government shutdowns and the Department of Government Efficiency on Republican prospects in Virginia and New Jersey.