By Charlie McCarthy | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 08:56 AM EST
Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., told Newsmax on Wednesday that Republicans faced challenges in recent elections due to the absence of President Donald Trump’s influence on the ballot. Speaking on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America,” Santorum argued that Trump’s name not appearing on the ballot in Virginia and New Jersey directly impacted GOP performance.
“The fact is Trump wasn’t on the ballot,” Santorum said, citing a pattern since 2016 where Republican success correlates with Trump’s presence. He pointed to New Jersey’s governor race, where Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli, attributing it to low turnout among Trump supporters and weak GOP campaign efforts. “There are people who vote for Donald Trump but don’t vote for Republicans,” he noted.
Santorum warned that without Trump’s influence, the GOP would struggle in Washington, D.C., over the next three years. He also criticized democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s mayoral race, calling it emblematic of a broader shift toward progressive policies. Santorum highlighted Mamdani’s alignment with figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, suggesting their agenda represents a mainstream threat to conservative values.
He described the election results as “completely predictable,” citing historical trends and Democratic spending advantages in Virginia and New Jersey. Santorum criticized the government shutdown and the Department of Government Efficiency as factors hurting Republican prospects.
