The Republican Party’s first midterm convention ended Thursday night in Dallas with one eye firmly on November and another briefly drifting toward 2028.
Vice President JD Vance drew chants of “48” from the crowd at American Airlines Center, President Donald Trump returned to make a final appeal for Republican turnout, and some of Texas’ most prominent Republican leaders used the national stage to frame the midterm elections as a much larger fight over the direction of the country.
The two-day gathering was unlike the presidential conventions Americans typically see every four years. There was no presidential nominee to select or traditional delegate roll call. Instead, Republican candidates, administration officials and party leaders gathered in Dallas to rally supporters ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.
Thursday’s closing program also included tributes to conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the victims and first responders of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Vance Gets a 2028 Reception
Vance received one of the strongest reactions of the closing night when he took the stage during the convention’s final hour.
The crowd initially greeted him with chants of “JD,” but the reaction soon turned toward the next presidential election as attendees began chanting “48,” referring to the person who will become the 48th president after Trump leaves office.
Vance acknowledged the moment but quickly brought the focus back to the election immediately in front of Republicans.
“We gotta take care of business this November and then we’ll worry about what comes next,” Vance said.
It was a short exchange, but one that highlighted a question already hovering over Republican politics: what happens to the movement built around Trump when he is no longer its presidential candidate?
Vance is widely discussed as a possible 2028 contender, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other prominent Republicans. But the vice president made clear Thursday that he wanted Republicans focused first on keeping control of Congress.
“I’m not asking you to agree with every policy of our administration. I’m asking you to recognize the contrast with the radicals, and the achievements of the last 18 months,” Vance said.
His argument was that Republicans should not abandon the broader Trump coalition because they disagree with the administration on an individual policy.
Vance tied that message to immigration, family, faith and culture, while also talking about wanting American families to have the same security and opportunities he wants for his own.
Charlie Kirk Remembered
The closing day carried another significance for Vance and many in the audience.
Thursday marked one year since Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking to students at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.
The convention program included Pastor Lucas Miles, vice president of TPUSA Faith, followed by a video tribute to Kirk. Attendees responded with chants of “Charlie.”
Vance, who had been friends with Kirk, later invoked his legacy while urging Republicans to stick together despite disagreements, including over foreign policy.
“Do what Charlie did: Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there,” Vance said.
Trump had also honored Kirk during his Wednesday night appearance.
Texas Republicans Take Center Stage
Texas was more than the host state for the convention. Its Republican leaders occupied some of Thursday’s most visible speaking slots as the party also turned attention toward competitive races in the state.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick opened the Texas-heavy portion of the program by portraying the November election in moral rather than simply partisan terms.
“This election coming up is not about politics,” Patrick said. “It’s about darkness, and it’s about light.”
Patrick highlighted Texas’ business climate, tax policies and lack of a state income tax while making his case for continued Republican control.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz followed with a speech focused heavily on what he described as ideological and constitutional threats facing the country.
“Shariah law has no place in America,” Cruz said. “Shariah law is fundamentally inconsistent with the Constitution, and we need to stand together and stop it now.”
Gov. Greg Abbott also presented the election as a sharp choice between the two parties.
“This election is a choice between common sense and crazy,” Abbott said.
Abbott pointed to Republican policies on border security, law enforcement and restrictions on foreign ownership of Texas land.
“Common sense always wins,” Abbott said. “It will win this year, too.”
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson brought a local voice to the national stage.
Johnson, who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party in 2023, used his appearance to explain the principles that led him to change parties.
“I chose to join a party that believes in some fundamental truths: That public safety must be our top priority, that economic freedom is vital, that taxpayers and families deserve respect, and that pro-business policies create jobs and opportunity,” Johnson said.
The Day 2 program contained 56 speakers or scheduled elements, up from 53 on Wednesday. Other participants included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Jr. and former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Convention Marks September 11
The political speeches temporarily gave way to remembrance during the 6 p.m. hour.
The program included a video commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, followed by an appearance involving Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller and tenor Christopher Macchio.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The tribute came one day before the anniversary and provided one of the convention’s more solemn moments.
Trump Returns With a Simple Message
After Vance finished speaking, Trump returned to the stage for the final stretch of the convention.
His message was uncomplicated.
“Go out and vote,” Trump told the crowd.
The appeal brought the convention back to the central theme Trump had established during his lengthy opening-night speech Wednesday: Republicans need the coalition that elected him to turn out in November even though his own name will not appear on the ballot.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said Wednesday.
Trump repeated the point Thursday, telling supporters that, in a practical political sense, he viewed himself as being on the ballot because control of Congress will determine how much of his agenda Republicans can pursue.
He also revisited the $5,000 “Trump dividend” he proposed Wednesday. Trump said the payments would go to American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress and would be connected to revenue from tariffs and foreign investment.
Major details remain unresolved, including eligibility requirements, the precise funding mechanism and what legislation would be required to authorize the payments.
Trump also used his closing appearance to support Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state’s U.S. Senate race, mixing criticism of Paxton’s personal style with praise for his record as attorney general.
“I don’t know if he’s going to ever speak to me again, but you know, I don’t care as long as he wins,” Trump said.
Dallas Convention Looks to November — and Beyond
For two days, Dallas became the center of Republican politics.
Trump appeared on both nights. Texas officials were given a prominent national platform. Republican candidates and administration officials worked to turn enthusiasm for the president into turnout for congressional and state races.
Wednesday established the central argument: Trump may not be on the ballot, but Republicans want his supporters to vote as though he is.
Thursday reinforced it.
Patrick, Cruz and Abbott framed the election through a Texas lens. The convention paused to remember Kirk and the victims of September 11. Trump closed with another demand for Republicans to turn out.
But Vance’s reception added something that was not entirely about November.
For a few moments, a convention designed around the 2026 midterms looked ahead to the presidential election that will follow them.
Vance’s answer was to put that conversation aside.
