Republicans Open First Midterm Convention in Dallas, With Trump Center Stage

Republicans opened an unusual midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, a two-day gathering built around President Donald Trump and meant to rally the party’s voters less than two months before the November elections. Unlike traditional conventions, which nominate a presidential ticket, this one is part rally and part fundraiser, PBS News reported. Trump is scheduled to deliver the keynote on opening night, and Vice President JD Vance is set to headline the second evening, CBS News reported.

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters called the event a “Trump-a-Palooza,” according to PBS. Organizers planned about 12 hours of programming with more than 100 speakers, including Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Jr. and Senate candidates Mike Rogers and Michael Whatley. CBS News listed House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. John Barrasso as slated to appear, Sen. Ted Cruz as invited, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on the speaker list. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected in Dallas for fundraisers but is not on the speaking list, CBS reported.

The party’s message, according to PBS, is that Republicans are the party of common sense and that Democrats have been pulled toward extremes by their insurgent left wing. Topics on the schedule include tax cuts, fraud allegations, border security and a proposed ban on stock trading by members of Congress. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told the convention crowd earlier in the day that Democrats would move to impeach Trump if they won Congress, NBC News reported.

The war with Iran is not on the public lineup, PBS reported, even as oil prices surged because of it. NBC News described Trump’s approval ratings as low.

Not everyone is attending. PBS reported, citing an AP survey of more than 40 candidates, that a majority were not attending, had not decided or did not respond, and that House members were asked to pay $25,000 for tickets and lodging. Organizers still projected about 30,000 attendees and more than 100 House members and candidates. NBC News counted 33 House Republicans who said they would not attend, against 29 who said they would.

Money is part of the show. PBS said Trump’s political operation launched a new group, No Going Back PAC, which reserved $47 million across six competitive Senate races and one House race, while the MAGA Inc. super PAC has spent $10 million on the Texas Senate race.

Democrats are not holding a convention this year. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the Republican event as a celebration at a time of high living costs, PBS reported, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene also criticized the event, PBS reported.

The convention runs through Thursday.