The Republican Party is staging its first midterm convention ever in Dallas this week, a two-day drive to build momentum before the November election. The gathering opens Wednesday at the American Airlines Center, with President Donald Trump scheduled to headline both nights.
A gathering of national Republican leaders has arrived in a city that is now a Democratic stronghold. Among those expected to advance the party’s agenda, raise funds, and fire up voters is Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who once ran as a Democrat before changing parties.
The stakes in Dallas
As Republicans work to respond to Democratic gains before November, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University has explained the situation.
Jillson noted that many believe Republicans will lose their hold on the U.S. House, possibly even the Senate, making Trump’s final two years very hard. She explained that the convention serves as an effort to stir up excitement among Republican voters so more of them show up at the polls in November.
The Republican National Committee has framed the event as an opportunity to highlight candidates and policy priorities, such as tax cuts and tougher immigration enforcement. The RNC also labeled it a “Trumpapalooza.”
This gathering differs from a standard presidential convention because it will hold no nomination balloting or party platform adoption. Instead, it will operate mainly as a campaign event centered on the midterms.
A split reception
Dallas resident Daniel Laabs is among those who do not welcome the convention, calling it “pointless.”
Laabs said as much when he noted that Ken Paxton appears to be facing difficulties in the polls, a reference to the closely watched U.S. Senate contest between Republican Paxton and Democrat James Talarico.
A Democrat has not won statewide in Texas in decades, yet both candidates remain within striking distance of one another in the polls.
Once a Republican stronghold, Dallas has become a Democratic city, and the convention is expected to bring out large groups of demonstrators.
The Democrats in Dallas see the Republican gathering as an opportunity to get their own message across to voters. Kardal Coleman, who leads the Dallas County Democratic Party, said the choice to hold the convention in Dallas demonstrates how significant a part Texas will play in the election.
Coleman said the situation shows how crucial this election cycle is, saying: “It means that Texas is in play and it shows us just how important this election cycle is.” He added that Donald Trump himself and his entire organization are willing to show up, not only in Texas, but specifically in Dallas.
What Democrats are planning
Democrats are expected to focus their outreach on several key issues:
- Affordability
- Health care
- Child care
- Homeownership
The Texas Democrats intend to stage two press briefings every day close to the convention grounds. Talarico has arranged a “Love Thy Neighbor” food drive for attendees to take part in.
Jillson said that while the convention spans two days and will likely draw considerable attention in the near term, gauging its effect on the wider election may prove more difficult.
Jillson said the event would make national headlines for a couple of days. The second day of the convention will feature a speech from President Trump, who is expected to address the gathering, and that address will likely be carried by some of the major networks, if not all of it. After that, she added, the convention would quickly fade from view, leaving just a month before Election Day.
The spotlight will be intense but short-lived, according to Jillson. Once the convention concludes, the race turns into a sprint of roughly a month until Election Day.
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Source: houstonpublicmedia.org