The Republican National Committee's two-day midterm convention kicks off Wednesday in Dallas, a high-stakes rally designed to fire up the party's base and boost fundraising for candidates in the fall. Headlined by President Trump and Vice President Vance, the event is being touted as a celebration of the GOP's unified control of Washington, but it's already exposing fissures within the party as some lawmakers, especially those in competitive districts, keep their distance.
Several Republican incumbents and challengers have cited scheduling conflicts or the need to campaign back home, with some Texas members notably noncommittal. The convention also faces competition for attention from the NFL's opening weekend, a reality that underscores the challenge of cutting through the noise. A GOP operative told The Hill the event came together relatively quickly, even though Trump first floated the idea last year. The National Republican Congressional Committee handed out more than 2,000 tickets, including to roughly 100 members and candidates who had confirmed attendance.
Speakers are expected to tout the party's legislative wins and cast the midterms as a choice between Republican governance and what they describe as Democratic socialism. But the heavy focus on Trump, whose approval ratings remain underwater, has some in the party worried about alienating swing voters.
Democrats, meanwhile, are not ceding the spotlight. The Dallas Democratic Party will hold a rally at City Hall at 6 p.m. local time Thursday, just as Trump is set to address the American Airlines Center a mile and a half away. House Democrats are also dispatching a delegation to Dallas to counterprogram the convention, partnering with local officials to hammer the GOP's record on issues like healthcare and the economy.
The political calendar is also shadowed by the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Trump will speak at the Pentagon on Friday, a day after returning from Dallas. The New York Times reported he had sought to address a ceremony at Ground Zero, but that venue is not available to him. Vance will attend the Ground Zero ceremony in New York alongside former Presidents Biden, Obama, George W. Bush, and Clinton, as well as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Other administration officials will travel to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where Flight 93 crashed after passengers fought back against hijackers.
On Tuesday, Trump is hosting first responders and other officials at the White House, where a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center's South Tower will be on display. The beam has been touring the country, making stops in 21 states to mark the anniversary.
As the primary season winds down, New Hampshire and Rhode Island hold their nominating contests this week. In New Hampshire, former GOP Sen. John E. Sununu is attempting a comeback, while Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas seeks to hold the seat being vacated by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Both races are expected to be competitive in the general election, with Democrats already spending heavily to defend their turf.
Congress is out this week, but both chambers return briefly next week before the final pre-midterm sprint. Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled the House's last two weeks of scheduled session, a sign of how eager members are to hit the campaign trail. The Senate will stay in session through October 2 to tackle outstanding business.
The Dallas convention also puts a spotlight on the Texas Senate race, where Republican incumbent John Cornyn faces a challenge from Democrat Colin Allred. The tightening contest has drawn national attention, and both parties see it as a bellwether for their midterm fortunes.
With the midterms less than two months away, the coming days will test whether the GOP's Dallas rally can translate into sustained momentum, or whether the party's internal divisions and the solemn 9/11 anniversary will complicate its message.
