Who won’t be at RNC’s midterm convention in Dallas

Republicans are holding a midterm convention on Wednesday and Thursday in Dallas, two months out from a general election that will have high stakes for President Trump and his party.

However, the convention comes at a rough political time for Republicans, with Trump’s approval rating slumping, the unpopular war in Iran recently stretching past the six-month mark and Democrats up in recent polling against Republicans on the generic ballot.

The convention, which has been branded as a “Trump-a-palooza,” has sparked mixed feelings among Republicans. Some have pointed to concerns about costs, timing and the possible political risk of being closely linked to Trump shortly before the election.

With those factors in the background, some Republicans are avoiding the convention altogether. Here’s what you need to know about the members of the GOP who are skipping out on the president’s “palooza.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is one of the more prominent figures who has decided not to go to the convention, as she faces a tough reelection battle. The Portland Press Herald reported that a spokesperson for the Maine senator said Collins “runs her own campaign independent of any national party schedule.”

Beyond Collins, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said his time is better spent having constituent meetings in his home state and that he won’t go to Dallas.

“I’m back in the state of South Dakota,” Rounds, who is dealing with a race that is more challenging than usual, said after being questioned about the convention.

The South Dakota senator added, “That’s up to the folks that want to be there,” when asked if the midterm convention is a good idea.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) is also reportedly not taking part in the “Trump-a-palooza,” as he faces a challenge from former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska.).

On the other side of the coin, however, there are some Republicans aiming for a seat in the upper chamber that will be in Dallas this week.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley, Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), all dealing with challenging Senate elections this year, are scheduled to speak at the convention Wednesday night.

And Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), who is facing more competition in his reelection race than expected, will also be in Dallas.

“We’re taking nothing for granted,” Marshall said. “We need the president’s base to get out and vote.”

House members staying home (or elsewhere)

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (Fla.), Tom Barrett (Mich.), Juan Ciscomani (Ariz.), Zach Nunn (Iowa) and David Valadao (Calif.) have decided against attending the convention, according to CNN . All but Salazar in that group are considered to be in “toss up” races by political handicapper Cook Political Report.

However, some other Republicans in the “toss up” and “lean R” categories are attending the convention, including Reps. Derrick Van Orden (Wis.) Rob Bresnahan (Pa.), Monica De La Cruz (Texas), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.) and Mike Lawler (N.Y.).

In a post on the social platform X on Tuesday, De La Cruz said that she would “be addressing the midterm convention in Dallas tomorrow.”

“Only in America can the granddaughter of a campesino who knelt in our fields, stand before a national audience like this. South Texas is a hardworking community, and I’m taking your message with me. Tune in!”