The US Republican Party and its talisman, President Donald Trump, are in Dallas, Texas, for an unusual convention ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Normally held only during presidential campaigns, President Trump’s call to hold the expensive event ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm vote underscored both the president’s unconventional campaign style and the urgency of the political moment for Republicans.
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President Trump’s approval ratings have plummeted heading into the midterm vote, with polls pointing to a variety of factors, most notably the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and the economic ripple effects on U.S. consumers.
The lack of enthusiasm threatens what is already seen as long-term potential in Republicans’ efforts to maintain a House majority. Control of the Senate is increasingly in jeopardy due to shifting public opinion, but Democrats still face an uphill battle to pull off an upset.
Losing control of either chamber would severely undermine President Trump’s authority during the final two years of his second term.
But not all Republicans buy President Trump and his party’s argument that conventions increase turnout.
Some parties, especially those in close races, continue to hold events at arm’s length out of concern that engaging with the president will only further mobilize his critics.
Here’s what you need to know:
When and where is the Republican midterm convention held?
The competition will be held on Wednesday, September 9th and Thursday, September 10th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
The event will be held from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Central Time (8:00 PM to 2:00 AM GMT) on both days.
Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights, including a speech on Wednesday and a closing keynote address on Thursday from 8:00pm to 9:00pm Central Time (1:00pm to 2:00pm Japan Time).
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance concludes the first night with a speech.
Is this typical political practice?
Not at all.
The Republican National Committee (RNC), the party’s official organizing body, calls the Dallas midterm convention “a first in American political history.”
The Democratic and Republican national conventions have historically concluded the primary season before presidential elections. Historically, the presidential nomination process has been a largely ceremonial event.
At these conventions, so-called “delegates” from each state pledge to vote for candidates based on the results of their home state’s primary elections.
The candidate who secures the necessary majority of delegates will officially become the party’s presidential nominee at the party convention.
Political parties also typically hold several small meetings before and after the event to establish and announce their party’s official platform.
Why will the Republican Party hold a midterm convention in 2026?
First, there will be no presidential election in 2026, so there will be no nomination process for president or not during the event.
Instead, the convention took the form of a large campaign rally and fundraiser.
It’s being offered as an opportunity to introduce candidates in tight races to potential donors and send a clear party message if Trump wins as the campaign enters its final stages.
The RNC promised “a prime-time showcase of President Trump’s successes, candidates and causes that have thrust the 2026 midterm elections into unprecedented focus.”
What’s on your schedule?
There will be quite a lot. The official program lists “53 items and speakers” on night one, followed by an additional 56 items and speakers on night two.
The first night will focus on issues such as tax cuts, health care affordability, immigration, border policy, trade and domestic manufacturing.
The second night will focus more on affordability and families, including policies related to taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
The subject areas were closely related to President Trump’s broader political message.
Several other subjects receive relatively little attention in official programs. There is little mention of the US-Israel war with Iran or President Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.
Who else is talking?
Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance will be the main speakers at the convention, but the two-day program is expected to feature a number of prominent Republicans and candidates.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is likely to get plenty of stage time. Paxton is running for Senate against Democrat James Talarico, but his early lead in polls has alarmed Republicans. A Democrat has not been elected to statewide office in Texas since 1994.
“There are a lot of speakers scheduled, but obviously the one we want to focus on is Ken Paxton,” President Trump told reporters last week. “We have to get him elected.”
The race was particularly personal for Trump, who endorsed the MAGA-aligned Paxton over four-term Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who many see as Talarico’s most likely challenger.
Will Trump’s convention help Republicans in the midterm elections?
It remains to be seen whether this convention will help mobilize voters in a meaningful way.
Mr. Trump has proven to be a shrewd campaigner, using his eye for television spectacle to drum up support and tap into less inclined voters. However, several factors may limit the impact.
President Trump’s Thursday night speech conflicts with the opening game of the National Football League (NFL) season. The event will also feature several events commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks throughout the week.
Some Republican officials have also criticized the hasty announcement of the event, which President Trump called for in late June, reportedly raising questions about whether organizers will be able to achieve the spectacle they had envisioned.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s approval ratings continue to decline, averaging just 38% in major opinion polls as he heads into the convention. Several recent polls, including a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in late August and a Financial Times/Focal Data poll, found support at just 33%.
Trump took office in January 2025 with an approval rating of about 52%.
Why do some Republicans skip it?
Indeed, several Republicans in key races have announced that they will attend the convention.
Among them is former Congressman Mike Rogers, who is running against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed for Michigan’s open Senate seat. Ohio Sen. Jon Husted faces a formidable challenge from former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. and Georgia Congressman Mike Collins, who is seeking to oust Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
Some people are wary.
President Trump’s policies during his second term have cast a long shadow, and many candidates are wondering whether their attendance could backfire and energize voters opposed to Trump.
Democratic primary turnout in several key states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas and Georgia, has soared this year, while Republican turnout has been steady but not an anomaly, the Associated Press reported. This is a worrying sign for Republicans.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican incumbent seen as vulnerable in her race against Democrat Troy Jackson, is among those who have announced they will not attend.
Several candidates in key House races have pointed to prior pledges.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks told the Bulwark that she prefers to spend time in her home district in Iowa, where she faces a challenge from Democratic Rep. Christina Bohanan.
“I’m going to stay in my district because I have a district to live in and take care of,” she explained of her decision.
Miller-Meeks defeated Bohannan in 2024 by just 0.1%.
Are the Democrats against it?
Several left-wing groups are organizing protests.
Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that four Democratic members of Congress will travel to Dallas for a rival show during the Republican convention.
But the cash-strapped Democratic National Committee (DNC) has avoided holding its own midterm convention.
The news site NOTUS reported in July that the commission had fallen into debt after the 2024 presidential election, going so far as to pledge its Washington, D.C.-based headquarters as collateral for a $15 million loan.
The RNC has not yet announced the final price for the event.
