Republicans are gathering in Dallas this week for an unusual midterm convention. The two-day event, a first for the party, brings hundreds of GOP elected officials, candidates, donors and state and local party leaders to the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas. But unlike a typical party nominating convention, there will be no official business to conduct. Instead, it offers Republicans a chance to hone their message heading into this year’s midterm elections, fire up voters and lavish praise upon President Donald Trump, the gathering’s brainchild. And the convention comes at a time when Republican control of Washington is on the line this fall, with Democrats looking to flip both the House and Senate. Here are five things to know about the Dallas convention. Why Texas? The Lone Star State is home to a pivotal Senate race between state Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch Trump ally, and Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. Public polling so far has suggested Talarico has a modest edge, but history is not on his side: Texas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. Still, Democrats hope Paxton’s numerous personal and ethical controversies will hurt his chances. Control of the House could also run through Texas, which is hosting several key battleground races, particularly in Latino-dominated districts in the state’s southern reaches. And GOP Gov. Greg Abbott also faces a competitive challenge from Democrat Gina Hinojosa. Republicans have dominated elections in Texas in recent decades, and the decision to hold the convention in Dallas reflects that. It will also provide candidates and members with an opportunity to tap into donors and other big spenders in town for the convention. Who will be there? Trump, of course. He’s scheduled to deliver the convention’s keynote on Wednesday and closing remarks Thursday, according to the Republican National Committee. Vice President JD Vance also has a prime-time speaking slot on Thursday. Several Cabinet-level officials will appear, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. House leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise will be there. And Rep. Richard Hudson, who leads the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, are among the prominent House and Senate Republicans slated to attend. Texas will be well represented, of course, with Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Monica De La Cruz and Brandon Gill having speaking roles, as do candidates running for House battleground seats, including Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, Air Force veteran Carlos De La Cruz and former federal prosecutor Eric Flores. Who won’t be there? Several Republican House members facing tough bids in purple districts are expected to attend, including New York’s Mike Lawler, Pennsylvania’s Ryan Mackenzie and Wisconsin’s Derrick Van Orden. But others are staying away. Some cited concerns about the cost to attend, others said their time would be better spent campaigning. The House no-shows include Reps. Juan Ciscomani of Arizona, Gabe Evans of Colorado and Zach Nunn of Iowa, all in races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as Toss-ups. On the Senate side, several GOP nominees will address convention attendees, including Paxton, North Carolina’s Michael Whatley, Georgia Rep. Mike Collins and former Michigan Rep. Mike Rogers. A pair of vulnerable Republican senators won’t be there: Maine’s Susan Collins and Alaska’s Dan Sullivan are staying home, The New York Times reported. What about the Democrats? Democrats opted not to hold a mini-convention of their own this year, but their presence will be felt both inside and outside the convention hall. From the stage, Trump and other speakers will undoubtedly seek to stoke concerns about democratic socialism and portray a party that is far to the left of many American voters. Outside the American Airlines Center, Democrats will hold their own counter-programming, hoping to spotlight Trump’s sliding job approval numbers driven largely by unhappiness over his stewardship over the economy and the Iran conflict. A delegation of House Democrats, including California’s Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight committee; Colorado’s Jason Crow; Pennsylvania’s Madeleine Dean and California’s Sydney Kamlager-Dove are heading to Dallas to "directly counter the falsehoods and extremism that emanate from the Republican National Committee's so-called midterm convention,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced last week. What’s next for Trump? The president says he intends to hit the midterm campaign trail to boost GOP candidates. He’s eyeing the final 30 day-stretch before Election Day to campaign for Republicans across the country – a move that carries both rewards and risk, especially for vulnerable incumbents. Republicans are also waiting for him to unleash the spending power of his MAGA Inc. war chest. The super PAC began spending over the weekend to support Paxton, with a $10 million ad campaign, Axios reported.
