Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., is traveling to Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa this weekend to campaign for Republican Senate candidates as the GOP works to defend its Senate majority in the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

“We’ve got to talk about the economy. We’ve got to talk about the cost of living,” Kennedy told reporters Thursday. “This weekend, I’m going to Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa to help raise money and campaign for our very good candidates.”

Kennedy said he would not have expected six months ago to be spending campaign time in the three states, which have historically been Republican strongholds.

“If you told me six months ago I was going to be having to spend my time in those three states, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Kennedy said. “Those oughta be fat guy layups for us. Now we’re gonna win there. But the races are close.”

The Kansas race features Republican Sen. Roger Marshall against Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton, while Nebraska Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts faces independent challenger Dan Osborn. Iowa is also drawing national attention following Sen. Joni Ernst’s retirement announcement.

Kennedy has become an active Republican surrogate ahead of the midterms, with his campaign also urging supporters to help candidates in competitive Senate contests across the country.