Republicans convene in Dallas for midterm convention as candidates weigh attendance
The Republican Party gathered in Dallas for a midterm convention featuring President Trump, party leaders and several congressional and gubernatorial candidates, while some lawmakers facing tough races opted out.
Republicans assembled in Dallas this week for a midterm convention designed to set the party’s agenda ahead of the November elections. The two-day program, beginning Wednesday afternoon, includes President Donald Trump as both the opening and closing speaker, Vice President JD Vance delivering a keynote address, and a slate of senior officials such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Among the speakers are a mix of incumbents and challengers from competitive districts, including Representatives Mike Lawler, Derrick Van Orden, Monica De La Cruz, Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan, as well as Senate candidates Jon Husted, Ken Paxton, Mike Collins, Mike Rogers and Michael Whatley. Governors Greg Abbott and Byron Donalds will also address the crowd.
RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre told CNN that the goal is to remind voters of the upcoming election and encourage turnout. NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said House Republicans and candidates in battleground districts are “fired up to be in Dallas and take our message straight to voters.”
A number of lawmakers facing difficult reelection bids, such as Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar, Tom Barrett, Juan Ciscomani, Zach Nunn and David Valadao, are not attending, nor are several Senate nominees including Susan Collins and Dan Sullivan. A GOP source indicated that the National Republican Congressional Committee’s request for lawmakers to purchase tickets costing at least $25,000 influenced attendance decisions.
Party leadership is represented by House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Conference Chair Lisa McClain and NRCC Chair Richard Hudson, as well as Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and NSRC Chair Tim Scott. RNC chairperson also addressed the need to mobilize voters, noting the rarity of incumbent parties winning midterms.
President Trump promoted the event on social media, emphasizing that speaking slots would be reserved for candidates in close races. The convention marks a departure from traditional party rules that limited national conventions to presidential election years, reflecting Trump’s preference for large-scale political spectacles.