Republicans head to Dallas for first midterm convention

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(The Center Square) – Republicans from across the country are convening in Dallas Wednesday and Thursday in a first midterm 2026 Republican Convention as some Republicans in Texas, and nationwide, are trailing in the polls.

The convention begins as Gov. Greg Abbott launched his first attack ad against Democratic opponent state Rep. Gina Hinojosa over her support for gender policies. 

It’s also opening after U.S. Senate candidate state Rep. James Talarico has been raking in endorsements from Republicans and those who worked for his opponent, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton’s former director of law enforcement and longtime Texas Ranger David Maxwell endorsed Talarico on Tuesday after Paxton’s longtime defense attorney Dan Cogdell endorsed Talarico, The Center Square reported. Cogdell defended Paxton for 10 years in a securities fraud case and during his impeachment trial.  

Recent polls show both the gubernatorial and senate races are statistically tied. The U.S. Senate race was downgraded to a toss-up. The governor’s race was downgraded to no longer solidly Republican, The Center Square reported. Polls also show Texas voters, including some Republicans, have soured on President Donald Trump, opposing a range of his policies, The Center Square reported. 

Trump is giving the keynote address at the convention, which is not a true political convention – no delegates will be voting. The event has been criticized as a last-ditch effort to raise money for Paxton and help other Republican candidates trailing in the polls. 

Trump’s political action committee, MAGA Inc., donated $10 million to Paxton’s campaign and on Tuesday Paxton issued a plea for donations.

Trump has acknowledged a key goal to boost trailing candidates, stating, “Everybody wants to be there, but we're really asking only those Candidates that are in tight Races, a little up, a little down, or even, to speak. We want to save the ‘stage’ for them. We don't need people who are up 45 points and have been in office for 30 years, as much as we love them all!” 

Dozens of key Republicans won’t be attending, according to a Newsweek analysis. The NRCC is also charging U.S. House members “contribution packages” costing between $25,000 and $100,000, it reported. A Politico survey of more than 70 GOP candidates and members found that most weren’t planning on attending.

When announcing the speaking lineup for the convention, Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said, “The midterm election is about the future of our country. President Donald Trump and Republicans are fighting to launch the golden age of America while extreme liberal Democrats want to tear this country apart and create a liberal failed state with their out-of-touch and anti-American views.” The convention “will draw a clear contrast between Republican’s common-sense agenda focused on affordability, security, safety and American strength and the Democrats’ liberal and extreme alternative.” 

Gruters also said the midterm elections are about “one simple choice: lower costs, lower taxes, secure borders, and common sense versus higher taxes, wide open borders, and the radical liberal agenda the Democrat Party has fully embraced. 

“Republicans are the party of hardworking, patriotic Americans who believe in a fair day's pay, safe streets, secure borders, and a government that gets out of our way and lets Americans win again. Democrats have chosen a different path. They have chosen a path hijacked by the radical Left and defined by their most extreme, out-of-touch, anti-American views. Come November, the American people are going to see this choice clearly and they are going to deliver a landslide for common sense."

He made the claim after polls indicate that Republicans are expected to lose a number of seats in November and in Texas, key congressional races once considered Republican strongholds either lean Democrat or are considered toss ups.

Trump is slated to speak both nights at the convention. Vice President JD Vance is giving the keynote speech Thursday night. Trump administration speakers include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, among others.

Multiple Texas elected officials and candidates speaking include Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Paxton, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Reps. Monica De La Cruz, Brandon Gill among others.

Cruz has acknowledged the uphill battle Republicans face in November, saying “Midterms are tough for the party in power. The Left is energized. Republicans control the White House and Congress, and too many conservatives are complacent. But in the last two years, President Trump and a Republican Congress have delivered more conservative victories than any time in our lifetimes. Now we have to defend them. Low taxes. Less regulation. More jobs. A secure border. Safer communities. The choice is clear.” 

Texas Democrats are holding a rally in Dallas on Thursday describing the convention as a “billionaire’s ball.” 

“While the richest and most powerful mingle at their $25k-per-ticket Billionaires’ Ball, We The People will come together to stand up for our democracy, our freedoms, and our future,” it said.

Hinojosa also told a local Fox 4 station, "I think that if they're just going to hammer home culture wars, nobody's interested. Really, nobody is interested. Nobody has the patience for that anymore. Politics, as usual, is broken. And they offer more of the same at a time when people desperately need change."