The Republican Party launched a two-day convention in Dallas on Wednesday, marking the first event of its kind in nearly five decades. The gathering brought together President Donald Trump, members of his cabinet, and prominent GOP candidates to celebrate his administration’s record and rally support ahead of the midterm elections, despite Trump not being on the ballot.
The convention arrives at a challenging moment for Republicans, as polls indicate widespread dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of domestic, foreign, and economic issues. His approval rating hovers around 38 percent, according to recent polling averages. While typically candidates seek to distance themselves from an unpopular president, many Republicans continue to align closely with Trump, weighing the benefits of his financial backing and political influence against the risks of alienating his core supporters.
Among those scheduled to speak at the convention are key Senate candidates from battleground states, including Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, former Representative Mike Rogers of Michigan, and Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chairman running in North Carolina. All three have tied their campaigns closely to Trump, reflecting the president’s central role within the party’s electoral strategy.
The convention also serves as a platform for Trump to frame his version of recent events, particularly in the face of criticism concerning economic issues such as inflation and gas prices. Trump has continued to assert that energy costs will decline following the resolution of tensions with Iran, a conflict he has linked to current price challenges. He is expected to contrast his administration’s record with what he portrays as an extreme Democratic Party agenda, emphasizing divisions on issues like socialism and transgender rights.
J.D. Vance, the Ohio senator widely viewed as a potential 2028 Republican presidential front-runner, is scheduled to address the convention on Thursday. His appearance is seen as a significant moment for his political profile, though it is unlikely to involve distancing himself from Trump at this stage. Instead, Vance’s remarks will likely aim to demonstrate his loyalty and capacity to energize the party base.
The convention raises a strategic dilemma for Republican candidates seeking office: whether to focus their speeches on celebrating Trump’s record or to emphasize their own campaigns. With Trump not on the ballot, the risk exists that the party’s message could become overly centered on the former president rather than on individual races, potentially complicating efforts to attract broader voter support.
Democratic figures are expected to be prime targets of criticism throughout the event. Trump and Vance have persistently attacked former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., even though he is no longer in office. Speakers are anticipated to highlight Democratic socialists and advocates for transgender rights as emblematic of the opposition. Specific Democratic candidates, such as Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and James Talarico in Texas, may face scrutiny based on religion and social policy positions. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, often a focus of conservative criticism, is also likely to be mentioned.
In response, a group of House Democrats plans to hold a news conference in Dallas to counter GOP messaging and gain attention. Representatives Robert Garcia of California, Jason Crow of Colorado, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California intend to challenge the Republican narrative. Whether their efforts will resonate with convention attendees remains uncertain.