After President Trump’s historic win in November, where he won the popular vote and a large majority of the country shifted right, blue state Republicans are having a moment. In 2025, blue state Republicans have a unique opportunity to reach new voters and grow the Republican party. Here’s how they do it: 

First, Republicans across the country will rely on Washington and a united front behind a Republican President, a Republican-controlled Senate and a Republican-controlled House of Representatives to develop their positive messaging. While Republicans in blue states like New York and Illinois don’t hold many majorities, it is important to stay united in their messaging: that President Trump’s policies and agenda are providing economic relief to American families. 

This thinking is two-fold – Republicans can show supporters and undecided voters that their policies are working on a national scale while also highlighting perceived failures from blue state Democrat leaders. 

Look at New York for example. In November, Kamala Harris lost 800,000 voters who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. That’s an unprecedented number of New York voters who are unhappy with the status quo – Democrat leadership who they see as largely ineffective. 

2025 is a critical time for New York Republicans to reach these dissatisfied voters and make a pitch. By highlighting President Trump’s goals in Washington such as securing our borders or lowering prices, combined with an effort to expose failed Democrat leaders like Kathy Hochul’s liberal policies or Eric Adams indictment and corruption, Republicans see a path to reaching new voters. 

We’re already seeing this play out in real time. Take President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan’s visit to Chicago last month. Homan implored Illinois’ Democrat leaders to come to the table and work with the Trump administration to secure our southern border. He also highlighted their “terrible” records and responded to Brandon Johnson’s vow to protect violent, criminal illegal immigrants, Homan said, “If he doesn’t want to help, get the hell out of the way.”

On the flip side, Democrats will do the complete opposite. They will try to highlight their policies in blue states as examples of why voters should trust Democrats on a larger scale while pointing to Washington as a dysfunctional mess. Much of the successes of the 2026 Election Cycle will come down to who can drive that message home more effectively – and how smoothly legislation happens in Washington.

Here at K2, we work with State Parties and Republican candidates in traditionally blue states and we know how important 2025 is to Republicans in blue states. With a two-fold messaging track in 2025 that focuses on the positives in the Trump White House and the negatives in Democrat-led states, Republicans can drive a narrative that leads people to the GOP. 

Republicans in blue states got a major gift in 2025 – now they need to capitalize on it.

– Noah Evans, Communications Director

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