I’ve had the privilege (?) of watching GOP campaign commercials in several states over the last few months. With one notable exception, they are all the same; they all hit on Trumpian themes, whether they make sense in the context or not. Illegal immigration, sanctuary cities, and “draining the swamp” should not have any resonance in states that are completely controlled by the GOP. And yet, there you are.
It has even gotten to the point that the candidates whose opponents have been endorsed by Trump are trying to sound like him. As you can imagine, that isn’t working too well.
Will openly and emphatically tying yourself to Trump prove successful in general elections in purple states, like Florida? We’ll see, but it’s telling that even Rick Scott (the exception) is trying to portray himself as an independent voice, not a Trump clone.