Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters described the upcoming GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas as a "Trumpapalooza" designed to highlight President Trump’s policy achievements and support Republican candidates ahead of the November elections. The event, scheduled for September 9 and 10 at the American Airlines Center, marks the party’s first-ever midterm convention. Gruters noted that the venue holds historical significance for the president, who addressed supporters there during his initial campaign decade ago.
Gruters stated that the convention concept originated with President Trump, who promoted the gathering on his Truth Social platform as a historic occasion. When asked why the party selected Dallas, Gruters cited the city’s central location and its status as one of the president’s preferred destinations. He emphasized that Texas is currently experiencing significant political activity, including several high-stakes races.
A focal point of the convention’s messaging is the U.S. Senate contest between Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. While acknowledging the race is closely contested, Gruters predicted a decisive victory for Paxton. He pointed to Paxton’s previous statewide wins and his primary election margin of several hundred thousand votes as evidence of strong support. Gruters asserted that Texas remains a reliably Republican state and expressed full confidence in Paxton’s campaign.
Kendall Scudder, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, offered a contrasting view in a separate interview. He questioned the Republican strategy of holding the convention in Texas, suggesting it indicates anxiety about other competitive Senate races in states like Iowa, Maine, Alaska, and Georgia. Scudder implied that the party’s choice of location reflects their internal polling data.
