Republicans are gathering in Dallas later today for an unusual two-day midterm convention as the party seeks to energise its supporters and strengthen its position ahead of the 2026 congressional elections.
The event, which combines a political rally with a fundraising drive, comes as Republicans attempt to build momentum for the final stretch of the midterm campaign while President Donald Trump faces low approval ratings. Organisers have described the gathering as “a primetime showcase for President Trump’s success, candidates, and causes that have propelled the 2026 midterms to unprecedented focus.”
Unlike traditional national party conventions, which are normally held every four years to formally nominate presidential candidates, the Dallas gathering is focused on promoting Republican candidates and the Trump administration’s agenda ahead of the midterms. The programme makes clear that Trump will be central to the event. Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters described it as “a Trump-a-Palooza.”
Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights of the convention. He will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday before returning Thursday to close the event after Vice President JD Vance. Trump had initially been scheduled to speak only once.
The convention will also feature Republican congressional leaders, members of the Cabinet and prominent figures from the President’s political circle. Among those scheduled to address the gathering are Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
Several Republican candidates facing competitive Senate races will also take the stage, including Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers and North Carolina Senate nominee Michael Whatley. Organisers have planned approximately 12 hours of programming across the two nights, featuring more than 100 speakers and discussions focused on issues including tax cuts, allegations of fraud, border security and a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks.
The event is also expected to devote significant attention to Democrats, with Republicans seeking to portray the opposition party as increasingly influenced by its left wing.
For some Republicans, the convention offers an opportunity to appear alongside Trump and attract national attention as they attempt to mobilise his supporters ahead of an election in which he will not personally be on the ballot.
However, the event has also exposed divisions within Republican ranks. Several party members, including candidates involved in closely contested races, are skipping the gathering because of scheduling conflicts or concerns about the cost of attending.
The event is being presented as a ticketed fundraiser rather than a conventional national party convention. The Denton County Republican Party in Texas advertised ticket packages ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Trump himself used the 2024 Republican National Convention to announce JD Vance as his vice-presidential running mate.The Dallas gathering instead comes at a crucial point in the midterm cycle, with Republicans seeking to maintain enthusiasm among their base while Democratic candidates focus heavily on economic concerns.The prominence given to Trump reflects his continued influence within the Republican Party, even though the president is not himself running for election in the midterms.The party is effectively seeking to turn Trump’s political profile and agenda into a campaign asset for candidates across the country.
Democrats Criticise Republican Convention
Democratic leaders have criticised the Republican gathering, arguing that the party is out of touch with the economic pressures facing American households.
House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries described the decision to hold what he characterised as a celebration during an economic crisis as extraordinary. “The fact that these Republicans are planning a celebration in the middle of an economic crisis — where everyday Americans are drowning because of this high cost of living — is extraordinary,” Jeffries said at the US Capitol.
Representative Suzan DelBene, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said that she was not concerned about Democrats missing an opportunity to make their case through a nationally televised political event.
Instead, she argued that Democratic candidates were concentrating on issues affecting voters in their communities. “They are not focused on the issues that people are struggling with right now, that they’ve created,” DelBene said.
She pointed to the cost of housing, food, healthcare, childcare, energy and gasoline as issues Democrats intend to emphasise during the campaign. DelBene said that voters would continue to judge Republicans based on their handling of those concerns, adding that Democrats would focus on campaigning directly to voters across the country.
The contrasting approaches highlight the competing strategies emerging ahead of the midterms. Republicans are using the Dallas gathering to consolidate support around Trump and promote the administration’s agenda, while Democrats are seeking to make the election a referendum on the cost of living and economic pressures facing households.
Democrats are not holding a midterm convention this year, although the party has organised such gatherings in previous election cycles.
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