Republicans head to Dallas for first GOP midterm convention: What to know

The Republican National Committee’s (RNC) midterm convention kicks off in Dallas on Wednesday, a first-of-its kind event aimed at helping Republicans buck President Trump’s low approval numbers and defy historical midterm trends.

The two-day event, billed by some as a “Trump-a-palooza,” will host dozens of top speakers from the administration and Republican leadership, as well as candidates in tough midterm races. But Republicans have mixed feelings about the event, with some citing concerns about cost, timing and the potential political risk of being closely tied to the president weeks ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, Democrats are embracing the convention , hopeful that the Trump-focused event helps them draw a contrast with Republicans and get a midterm boost amid voter frustration with the president and the party in power.

Here’s what to know as the convention begins:

This week’s Dallas event marks the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention, interrupting the typical schedule of holding one every four years to mark the presidential election.

Unlike the 2024 presidential convention, when Republicans descended on Milwaukee to nominate Trump as the party’s White House pick, there’s no such official business on the docket for this two-day event.

RNC Chair Joe Greuters has cast the program as “a first-of-its-kind midterm convention that will show the American people exactly what’s at stake in November.” The event’s speakers are expected to focus on the issues shaping the midterms, from the economy and immigration to Trump’s moves abroad.

Trump, who has long floated the idea of a midterm convention, has asked his MAGA base to “pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot” in November, signaling his intent to make the midterms another test of his political power — and to use the convention as a way of juicing voter turnout.

Trump, who was initially slated to close out the last night of the convention, will now address the convention crowd on both days, underscoring that his record and agenda will be a major focus of the gathering.

Vance will also speak the second night, leading a speakers list chock full of other administration figures, congressional leaders and candidates in tough midterm races.

From the White House, it’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., among others.

Karoline Leavitt, who recently stepped away from her role as White House Press Secretary, will be back at the podium for remarks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Senate Whip John Barasso (R-Wyo.) are on deck — as are Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the respective chairs of the GOP’s Senate and House campaign arms.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is running for the Senate in Texas, are also among the top Lone Star State names set to speak as the event pulls major focus to tight races in the red stronghold.

All told, the RNC has announced more than 100 speakers for the two-day program. About 20,000 people are expected to attend, according to John Hiller, White House aide and the CEO of the convention’s organizing board.

Despite the star-studded speakers’ list, some lawmakers and candidates in tough races are steering clear — citing costs, conflicts and commitments on the campaign trail.

And amid a bleak midterm outlook for the GOP and lackluster approval numbers for the president, some have raised concerns that attending could even be a political risk for vulnerable Republicans.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who’s running for reelection in blue-leaning Maine, is reportedly skipping the convention — as is Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), who faces Democrat Mary Peltola in a showdown that’s seen both rivals distance from mainland politics.

A Politico survey of more than 70 Republican candidates and lawmakers last week found that more than half planned to skip the event, including Reps. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) and Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), who are battling for reelection in vital toss-up districts.

With top Lone Star State figures in attendance, the convention is set to spotlight one of the most closely watched congressional fights in the country this cycle: the fight for Senate in Texas.

Democrat James Talarico has given his party hope of notching their first statewide Texas win in decades. The state lawmaker and seminarian’s faith-driven campaign has unique appeal in the red stronghold, drawing comparisons to Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 bid, when the Democrat came within just a few points of ousting Cruz.

Decision Desk HQ’s latest polling average of the Senate race shows Talarico up by roughly 3 percentage points over Paxton, with just two months to go until the general election. The race is considered a toss-up that narrowly favors the Democrat.

Trump bucked Republicans’ Senate campaign arm when he decided to back Paxton, the controversy-laden attorney general, for Senate over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who lost out in a tense primary runoff.

This week, Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC funneled $10 million into Texas to support Paxton, underscoring that Republicans are playing some defense in the otherwise safe red stronghold.

Though Republicans are eager to use the convention as a way to strike a contrast with their rivals, Democrats are embracing the event as their own political opportunity.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced on Friday that a four-member House delegation would travel to Dallas to underscore the contrast between the two parties, partnering with the Texas Democratic Party on the ground.

“Americans are being crushed by rising costs. Republicans don’t care—they’re in Dallas, celebrating an out of touch President whose tariffs and wars are making things worse. We’re going to hold them accountable,” said Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a part of the delegation, in a post on the social platform X.

Multiple progressive groups, labor unions and others are planning demonstrations in Dallas on Thursday. And just before Trump takes the stage on Thursday evening, a rally is set for the steps of City Hall, organized by a dozen groups including Next Generation Action Network, Powered by the People, Texas Democrats and the AFL-CIO, according to the event page.

Talarico is also planning to counterprogram the convention with a statewide “Love Thy Neighbor” food drive, the campaign announced on Friday.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a potential 2028 Democrat who recently launched a new PAC aimed at helping Democrats win, is also reportedly set to stop by Dallas for remarks at a press conference.

Democratic operatives in and out of Texas have said they’re excited about the Trump focus at the convention, as they seek to tie vulnerable Republicans to Trump’s poor approval ratings and unpopular moves on the economy, immigration and foreign policy.