Republicans Kick Off First Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas

Republicans are kicking off their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, with President Donald Trump scheduled to headline both nights.

Trump will depart the White House this afternoon for the two-day event, first participating in a fundraiser for his MAGA Inc. Super PAC before delivering a keynote address at 9:15 pm ET. He will return on Thursday to deliver closing remarks after a planned speech by Vice President JD Vance. The Republican National Committee (RNC) promised an unprecedented, history-making convention and its biggest ever midterm convention.

However, hotel rooms are still available at about 180 properties in downtown Dallas, and organizers are scrambling to fill the 21,000-capacity American Airlines Center. They are using a public lottery with VIP treatment promises and unsolicited text messages screaming "FREE TICKETS." Most Republican senators and House members are not attending, citing urgent pre-existing entanglements. One House Republican called the convention a waste of time and said planning had been a mess.

The event aims to generate enthusiasm among potential voters and raise money for the GOP, partly by charging donors $88,600 for a photo with Trump. The RNC reportedly asked House members to spend $25,000 for themselves and a guest, or $100,000 for a higher tier. The Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talerico in Texas is rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.