Republicans Will Hold a First-Ever Midterm Convention in Dallas

President Trump announced that the Republican National Committee will hold the party's first-ever national convention in a midterm year — a two-day event in Dallas in September — an unusual off-year gathering meant to fire up the GOP base and defend its narrow congressional majorities ahead of November.

Simone Bishop July 1, 2026 at 3:48 AM

Parties usually hold national conventions only when the White House is on the ballot. Republicans are about to break that pattern.

The announcement

Trump said on Truth Social that Republicans would hold a "midterm convention" — a first for the party — in Dallas on Sept. 9 and 10, calling it a "truly Historic Event," The Hill reported. The gathering is an official Republican National Committee event, not a Trump campaign event; the RNC amended its rules at its January meeting to allow an off-year convention, which had previously been reserved for presidential nominating years, NBC News reported. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters described it as a "Trumpapalooza" meant to showcase the administration's agenda.

What it's for

Trump framed the event as a celebration of the "great American comeback" and his America First agenda, promising speakers drawn from "hardworking Americans," entrepreneurs and first responders, plus entertainment — "a RALLY like none other." No headliners have been announced. Beneath the festivity is real anxiety: Republicans hold only narrow majorities in the House and Senate, and the party in power almost always loses seats in midterms. With Trump himself not on the ballot, GOP leaders have worried about sustaining the turnout that produced those majorities. House Speaker Mike Johnson warned that a Democratic takeover would bring investigations of "the president's family, the Cabinet, his donors, and friends," the Washington Examiner reported.

The Texas backdrop

Dallas — chosen over Las Vegas — sits in a state with a marquee Senate race, where Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who ousted Sen. John Cornyn in the primary with Trump's backing, faces Democrat James Talarico in a contest polls show is close, ABC News reported. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, a Democrat who became a Republican in 2023, called hosting the event an honor.

Democrats respond

Democrats, who briefly weighed a midterm convention of their own before deciding against it, cast the Republican plan as a misstep. The Democratic National Committee's executive director, Roger Lau, said his party had "baited" Republicans "into wasting time and money on a midterm convention that will sink their swing-seat candidates," per NBC News. Whether the Dallas gathering energizes the GOP or hands opponents a target, its very existence is a sign of how urgently both parties are already treating a midterm that is still months away.