Republicans are set to descend on Dallas this week for the party’s first-ever midterm convention, a major pet project of President Donald Trump that he first pitched over a year ago.
New candidates, vulnerable incumbents and high-profile conservative figures are expected to attend the two-day event beginning Wednesday afternoon as Republicans tout the policies of Trump’s first two years. The convention comes just two months before Election Day as Republicans look to defend their slim majorities in Congress despite the president’s sinking approval ratings and historical trends working against them.
“The first-ever midterm convention is something that’s going to be so exciting,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters last week. “We’ll talk about what has actually been done, and then we’ll parade our stars across the stage, and the president will talk to the American people and talk to them about the stakes of this (election) and what would happen if these crazy communist Democrats took over the House of Representatives.”
More than 100 members of Congress and other candidates are expected to be in attendance, while some vulnerable incumbents opt to campaign back home.
The convention comes as Trump looks to gin up voter enthusiasm ahead of the midterm elections, which typically sees lower turnout than presidential cycles. The event has been described as a “Trump-a-palooza” by some of its top organizers as the president urges voters to pretend he is on the ballot when they go to cast their votes.
However, that strategy could be a gamble. Midterm elections have historically acted as a referendum on the sitting president, with the party that controls the White House typically losing seats in Congress. With Trump’s record-low approval ratings, it could be seen as risky for vulnerable candidates to tie themselves to him.
But Republican leaders seem unworried about putting Trump in the spotlight, noting the president’s fundraising prowess and ability to turn out voters.
“It was the president’s idea, which is why he’s getting credit for it, and it’s rightfully so,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be an extraordinary opportunity for us to get a couple of nights on national television to talk about our extraordinary record of achievement.”
Trump, Vance to give keynote speeches
More than 100 speakers are slated to address the convention, which is open to the public, unlike the Republican National Convention that occurs during presidential election years. Trump is scheduled to speak both nights of the convention, giving the keynote address on Wednesday and closing remarks on Thursday.
Vice President JD Vance will also be in attendance and will give the keynote address on Thursday. Other prominent speakers from Trump’s Cabinet include Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., and Scott Turner, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Top congressional Republicans are expected to speak as well, including Johnson, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and more.
The speeches will mostly focus on the policy wins achieved in Trump’s second term, according to an early schedule, such as efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse; tax cuts; and border security, among other things. Speakers will also spend time pushing for the passage of other items such as the SAVE America Act, a proof-of-citizenship and voter ID bill that has become a top priority for Trump over the last year.
Meanwhile, Democrats are planning to host some counter-programming in an effort to peel away the spotlight.
Several groups are organizing rallies in downtown Dallas where the convention will take place, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said a group of House Democrats will hold a press conference in the city to contrast the parties’ platforms.
Democrats plan to target Republicans on affordability, according to Jeffries, as well as the ongoing war in Iran.