The Republican Party is holding its first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, with former President Donald Trump as the central figure, in an effort to energize the party's base and boost turnout for the upcoming elections. RNC Chair Joe Gruters stated that the convention's primary goal is to "put the president on the ballot," acknowledging the need to mobilize low-propensity voters who may not turn out when Trump's name is not directly on the ballot.
President Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights of the convention. He is slated to deliver the keynote address on Wednesday evening and will return Thursday to close out the event, following remarks by Vice President JD Vance. This strategy aims to leverage Trump's appeal as the "best showman in politics" to drive engagement in key races that will determine control of Congress.
The convention comes as Republicans face historical headwinds, as the party in power typically loses seats in midterm elections. Factors such as persistent inflation, high gas prices, and the ongoing war in Iran, coupled with Trump's past approval ratings, present a challenging political landscape. Gruters acknowledged the need to "do things a little bit differently" to defy historical trends.
Democrats, however, view the Republican convention as an opportunity to criticize the GOP. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin argued that while working families struggle, Republicans are hosting a costly event to "celebrate Trump’s failing presidency." The DNC, which is reportedly in debt, has not opted for a similar convention and plans to focus on voter outreach regarding issues like cost of living and healthcare.
Republicans intend to use the convention to draw a contrast with Democrats, highlighting what they describe as the party's "leftward lurch" and association with "far-left and socialist proposals." Gruters suggested speakers would ask voters to choose between "common sense and mainstream" and the "extreme left and these radicals."
Beyond mobilizing voters, the convention also serves to showcase the policy achievements of Trump's previous term. Gruters cited policies such as the Working Family Tax Cuts and fair trade agreements, asserting that Trump "delivered for the American worker more so than anybody has over the last five decades."
The RNC enters the midterm battle with a significant financial advantage over the DNC, with plans to spend its accumulated funds in the remaining weeks before the election to ensure voter turnout and clarify candidate stances.