The two-day rally and fundraiser brings together more than 100 speakers as Republicans seek to defend control of Congress and Democrats mount counterprogramming across the city.
DALLAS — Republicans opened their first national convention organized specifically around a midterm election Wednesday, placing President Donald Trump and his governing record at the center of the party’s campaign to retain control of Congress.
The two-day gathering at the American Airlines Center combines the scale of a presidential convention with the energy of a Trump campaign rally. Unlike the party’s quadrennial conventions, however, delegates will not nominate a presidential candidate or conduct comparable formal party business.
Trump is scheduled to deliver Wednesday night’s keynote address and return Thursday to close the convention following a speech by Vice President JD Vance. The event features approximately 12 hours of programming and more than 100 speakers, according to the Associated Press.
A New Kind of Political Convention
Republicans traditionally reserve their largest national conventions for presidential election years. The Republican National Committee amended its procedures in January to make this midterm gathering possible.
The timing is deliberate. Voters will decide control of the House and Senate on November 3, and Republicans are attempting to overcome the longstanding pattern in which the president’s party loses congressional ground during midterm elections.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters opened the convention by describing its objective as “defying history.” Trump has argued that Republican candidates should campaign on the record of his administration and the party’s “America First” agenda.
Convention programming is expected to emphasize tax policy, border security, allegations of government fraud and a proposal to prohibit members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Cabinet officials, congressional leaders and candidates from competitive races are also scheduled to speak. The lineup includes Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Donald Trump Jr. and several Republican Senate nominees.
C-SPAN is carrying the convention proceedings.
Trump’s Political Influence Faces a Midterm Test
Although Trump is not on the ballot, the convention makes him the leading national messenger for Republican candidates.
The strategy could help the party turn out voters who strongly support the president but may be less likely to participate when he is not personally seeking office. It also connects congressional candidates directly to Trump’s record on immigration, taxes, regulation, energy and foreign policy.
Not every Republican candidate has chosen to attend. An AP survey of more than four dozen GOP candidates found that many planned to remain in their districts, were undecided or did not respond. House Speaker Mike Johnson said some members believed local campaigning was the best use of their time, while others see the convention as an opportunity to reach donors, voters and national media.
The event is also a major fundraiser. AP reported that some Republican House members were asked to pay $25,000 for convention access and lodging, while state parties offered additional ticket and donor packages.
Democrats Launch Dallas Counterprogramming
Democrats chose not to organize a competing national convention, but party leaders are holding events in Dallas intended to challenge the Republican message.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a Wednesday press conference criticizing Trump’s record on the economy, Iran and government conduct. Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico organized a food drive at Friendship-West Baptist Church and contrasted the service project with the Republican fundraiser.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic officials are focusing their counterprogramming on affordability, health care and potential congressional oversight.
The competing events offer an early preview of the arguments voters will hear during the final weeks of the campaign: Republicans asking voters to preserve Trump’s governing majority and Democrats asking them to impose a check on his administration.
The Associated Press reported on the Democratic response.
Why This Matters
The Dallas convention is more than an unusually large campaign rally. It is an experiment in whether a sitting president can transfer the energy of a presidential campaign to dozens of separate congressional races.
A change in control of either chamber would reshape the final two years of Trump’s term. Congress determines which legislation reaches the president, controls federal spending, confirms officials and judges through the Senate, and exercises investigative and oversight authority.
If the gathering succeeds in attracting attention and mobilizing voters, midterm conventions could become a more regular part of American campaigning. If it fails to influence turnout, parties may conclude that candidates are better served by remaining in their states and districts.
THRIVE! Perspective
Free and representative government depends upon citizens who participate thoughtfully, evaluate competing claims and hold public officials accountable.
First Timothy 2 calls believers to pray for those in authority so that people may live peaceful and godly lives. That responsibility applies regardless of which party governs.
No political party is the Kingdom of God, and no candidate should receive unquestioning allegiance. Believers can participate confidently in America’s political process while remembering that their highest loyalty belongs to Jesus Christ.
