Attorney General Ken Paxton said during a Monday tele-town hall that Republicans plan to hold a midterm convention in Dallas this September, an event expected to bring President Donald Trump to Texas and elevate the state’s role in the national political spotlight ahead of November’s elections.
The Republican National Committee has been discussing plans for a first-of-its-kind midterm cycle gathering. While the party has not formally confirmed the convention or its location, Dallas has been under active consideration, with planning efforts reportedly including a site visit to the American Airlines Center earlier this year.
Paxton said during the virtual event that the convention is expected to take place in Dallas and that Trump is anticipated to attend and deliver remarks. Neither the RNC nor Paxton’s campaign has provided additional confirmation or clarification regarding the final details or whether Dallas has been officially selected.
If finalized, the gathering would occur after primary elections conclude nationwide but before early voting begins in most states. According to people familiar with the planning, the announcement is expected to come from Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Party officials have described the concept as an opportunity to energize Republican voters in a non-presidential election year. GOP leaders have long struggled with turnout in midterms when Trump is not directly on the ballot, and the event is being framed internally as a way to showcase major candidates and align them closely with the former president’s political brand.
Joe Gruters, who chairs the RNC, has reportedly characterized the idea in energetic terms, emphasizing its focus on unifying candidates with Trump’s base of supporters. The strategy reflects a broader effort to boost participation among low-propensity voters who turned out heavily in 2024 but are typically less consistent in midterm cycles.
Texas is expected to play a central role in the event’s messaging. Republicans are targeting multiple U.S. House districts in the state following recent redistricting efforts designed to improve GOP competitiveness. The convention would also elevate down-ballot candidates and statewide races, including Paxton’s own high-profile U.S. Senate contest against Democrat James Talarico.
Other Texas Republicans who appeared on major stages at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee included Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, Monica De La Cruz, Wesley Hunt, and Ronny Jackson. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, also participated.
Democrats have previously explored the idea of a similar midterm convention but ultimately did not proceed, citing financial constraints within the Democratic National Committee. As the 2026 cycle approaches, Texas Democrats face the challenge of boosting turnout in urban strongholds like Dallas County while expanding support in suburban areas across the Metroplex, where competitive districts could determine statewide outcomes.
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