The Republican party is staging its first midterm convention this week in Dallas, Texas. Donald Trump is expected to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday and closing remarks on Thursday. Other speakers include Vice-President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and Donald Trump Jr.
The convention is intended as a "primetime showcase" to boost morale, nationalise congressional elections, and galvanise Republican voters. However, success is not guaranteed, with a Politico survey indicating that 45 out of over 70 Republican candidates and members do not plan to attend or are still considering it.
The event coincides with the opening games of the American football season. Unlike presidential election year conventions, delegates will not be making party rules or drawing up a policy platform. Elaine Kamarck, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, described it as "essentially a Trump rally that they’re calling a midterm convention."
President Trump's approval rating stands at 33%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week, marking the lowest point of his political career. Democrats appear more enthusiastic about the midterms, with 46% describing themselves as "very enthusiastic" about voting in November, compared to 31% of Republicans.
Some Republican candidates are reportedly distancing themselves from the president, with examples including Carlos De La Cruz, Ralph Alvarado, Martin O’Donnell, Eric Flores, and Nick Begich altering their campaign materials. Others, such as Wisconsin congressman Tom Tiffany and Michigan congressman Tom Barrett, have publicly broken ranks on certain issues.