GOP Gathers in Dallas for a Trump-Led Midterm Convention — and Several Prominent Republicans Won’t Be There

This week marks the first midterm convention ever held by Donald Trump and the Republican Party, taking place in Dallas. The president and JD Vance, who serves as vice president, will be the main speakers at the gathering. A number of prominent Republicans, including candidates from competitive districts and the first lady, have decided not to attend.

Organizers say the two-night convention, which starts Wednesday, will back Republican candidates while pushing the administration’s position on immigration, taxes and the economy. It comes with about 55 days left before the midterm elections.

Trump and Vance Lead the Speaker List

Wednesday marks the first night of the convention, and it is then that Trump will deliver the keynote address. He has also been allotted the final night’s closing remarks. Vance is set to speak on Thursday.

A number of Cabinet officials are scheduled to speak, among them Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.

The leaders of the two chambers of Congress will speak at the event: House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and Sen. Tim Scott, who serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The list of candidates on the battleground includes Jon Husted, senator from Ohio; Ken Paxton, who is seeking a Senate seat in Texas; Rep. Mike Collins, running for a Senate seat in Georgia; Michael Whatley, competing for a Senate seat in North Carolina; and Mike Rogers, vying for a Senate seat in Michigan.

Notable Absences

A White House official told ABC News that First Lady Melania Trump has decided against attending the event, though no reason was given for her absence.

A number of candidates running for office are absent from the convention. Zach Nunn, a Republican representative from Iowa, told ABC News that he will be working back in his district instead of attending. Senator Susan Collins of Maine has chosen to skip it as well.

Several Senate hopefuls were not included on the speaking list, among them Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who are contesting races that could determine which party controls the chamber. ABC News tried to get hold of Hinson’s and Sullivan’s campaign regarding her presence but received no reply.

Roughly 100 House Republican members and candidates are expected in Dallas — about half of the House GOP and candidates running this fall.

Trump’s Polling Problem

Trump is holding his convention amid a string of problems: record-low approval ratings, a war with Iran, and financial trouble at home. The Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week showed his approval standing at 33%, the weakest mark of either of his two terms.

The Republican National Committee said the event will articulate “a clear and bold plan of the work [it] will continue to do on behalf of the hard-working and patriotic Americans after we achieve victory in November.”

“The message is simple: Americans want strong borders and sound immigration policies, not sanctuary cities and the unspeakable crimes that comes with them,” the RNC said in an overview.

Fundraising Opportunities

Money-raising is another purpose of the convention, and it comes from supporters willing to pay to sit near the president. Those who wish to take part in a roundtable on Wednesday with Trump must pay $250,000 per person, while a photo with the president costs an additional $88,600.

The cost to join Vance’s Thursday roundtable is $75,000, with a separate fee of $35,000 for a photo session.

Because the first two NFL games of the season are being played simultaneously, and because the date falls close to the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Republicans have expressed worry about voter turnout for the event.

Democrats Push Back

The Democrats have opted against holding a convention of their own, instead choosing to stage gatherings in Texas and other locations in an effort to answer the Republicans’ midterm convention.

House Democratic members will journey to Dallas to draw attention to their work on cost-of-living issues, according to an announcement by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, whose race against Paxton is now considered a toss-up, announced his “Love Thy Neighbor” grocery drive as counterprogramming. The volunteer effort supports North Texans struggling to afford groceries, with volunteers sorting and packaging food just down the road from the convention.

Republicans have never held a midterm convention before.

Democrats held one in the 1970s. Whether the Dallas event moves the needle in November remains to be seen.

Source: abc13.com

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