With elections nearing, battleground Republicans still waiting for Trump to open his campaign wallet

LAS VEGAS (AP) — When Vice President JD Vance stepped on stage in Michigan on Monday, it was MAGA Inc. writing the check for the campaign event. It was a rare bit of spending in a battleground state from a…

It was a rare bit of spending in a battleground state from a powerful political organization that has mostly been missing in action this year.With just over two months to go before the midterm elections, President Donald Trump is still sitting on most of his colossal war chest, and he's been growing his money pile instead of spending it.Even though the president and his team insist they'll open their wallet soon, frustrations are growing as Republicans try to maintain control of Congress despite headwinds partially of Trump's own creation. While the president remains the party's best asset in turning out its base, he is historically unpopular, with low marks on his handling of the economy and the ongoing war in Iran that most Americans say was not worth fighting.The ticking clock narrows Republicans' options because time on the airwaves gets more limited and more expensive as the election draws near.“Hope springs eternal,” said Republican donor Dan Eberhart, one of many who have been left wondering about the president’s plans.Texas is a particular issue, especially after Trump helped scandal-plagued state Attorney General Ken Paxton beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, turning what was supposed to be a safe Republican seat into a potential toss up.Democratic nominee James Talarico has dramatically outraised Paxton, bringing in more than $68.5 million to Paxton’s $9 million.

Talarico had more than $21.5 million cash on hand at the end of June, versus Paxton’s $1.75 million.“We need help from the president,” Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, told Fox News over the weekend. “I’m hoping that the president is going to spend $100 or $200 million in Texas, but he hasn’t committed to it yet.”MAGA Inc.

is the country's biggest political war chestMAGA Inc. had more than $403 million at the end of July, according to the latest campaign finance filings, having brought in another $3 million over the course of the month and having spent practically nothing. That's more cash than any of the major party committees.Its only major outlay so far has been in South Carolina, where the group invested nearly $830,000 on a last-minute get-out-the-vote push to help Sen.

Darline Graham win the Republican nomination to succeed her late …