Reeher Discusses Trump’s Trip to Syracuse in a Bid to Save Republican House Seats With NY Post

October 3, 2026

MS NOW,The New York Post

Grant Reeher

Political Science Department

Campbell Public Affairs Institute

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MS NOW

The New York Post

Grant Reeher

President Trump will campaign with GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman in Syracuse on Oct. 9, aiming both to boost his ally and to energize Republican turnout in several newly competitive New York House races. Experts say his appearance could cut both ways, as he is deeply unpopular with many New York Democrats but may help energize Republicans.

“I think it’s going to cut both ways. On the one hand, Trump’s negatives in New York are very deep. People are very emotional—the ones that don’t like Trump really don’t like him,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science.

But he can also help fill the Republican enthusiasm gap, Reeher says. “Certainly one thing the guy is good at is getting people ramped up. On balance it may be something that could help the Republican candidates.”

Read more in the New York Post article, “Trump’s Upstate NY trip to help Blakeman is play to save Republican House seats.”

Reeher also spoke with MS Now about the visit. “He’s coming up here to get hopefully more of his people excited than the Democrats, who he will also excite, to come out and vote the other way,” he says.