For all of the candidates’ differences on policy matters, the election was often about one topic: Trump. Casten was not shy about criticizing the president. Roskam tried to keep Trump supporters on board while also appealing to independent and centrist Republican voters who do not like the president, arguing he stood up to the president when necessary and does not condone Trump’s often caustic Twitter postings. Roskam called Trump’s showing a “mixed bag,” emphasizing a booming economy under Republican control while distancing himself from the president’s inflammatory language and comments.