Dozens of Republicans To Skip Dallas Convention, Distancing Themselves From Trump Amid Competitive Races

Dozens of Republican lawmakers and candidates plan to stay away from the party’s first-ever midterm convention at Dallas next week, amid growing concern that President Trump’s sagging approval ratings could cost the GOP control of Congress in November.A Politico survey of more than 70 candidates and members found that at least 45 Republicans plan to skip the September 9-10 event at the American Airlines Center, citing prior commitments, district obligations, and objections to the steep attendance costs. The first lady, Melania Trump, is also not expected to attend.The absences span the party. The House Appropriations Committee chairman, Tom Cole, will be dove-hunting in Oklahoma. Representative Nick LaLota of New York is visiting colleges with his daughter. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama dropped out after campaign events were added to his schedule. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he will stay home to meet constituents, according to reports.“This year, I’m spending as much time as I can in South Dakota talking to folks that do have concerns,” Mr. Rounds told reporters. “Affordability is one of them.”Republicans in competitive races have been particularly reluctant to attend, Newsweek reports. Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Zach Nunn of Iowa, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania — all running in races rated toss-ups by the Cook Political Report — have opted to remain in their districts.“I can’t control what the president’s going to say at the convention, but I can control where I’m at, what I’m doing,” Mr. Barrett told reporters.Cost has also played a role. The National Republican Congressional Committee offered House members attendance packages at prices ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 covering tickets, hotel rooms, and access to roundtables and receptions. One unnamed House Republican told Politico they “didn’t want to go anyway” but acknowledged the high cost “made it easier.”The RNC has pushed back against the narrative. “The outreach and enthusiasm to attend, participate, and speak at this historic midterm convention has been incredible,” Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre said in a statement to Politico. Several candidates in tight races that Republicans need to win will be in attendance. Congressmen Mike Rogers of Michigan, Mike Collins of Georgia, and Michael Whatley of North Carolina, and Attorney General Ken Paxton of Texas are among the Senate candidates who will be addressing the audience. However, the convention drama coincides with a telling trend: Republican candidates in battleground districts are quietly distancing themselves from Mr. Trump online.At least seven House Republican candidates have removed or significantly de-emphasized mentions of Trump and his priorities from their campaign websites ahead of the general election, according to a Washington Post analysis.Mike Beltran, a Republican challenging Representative Kathy Castor in Florida, once described himself as inspired by “Trump’s 2016 victory” and pledged to “stand with President Trump to finish making America great again.” His website now says he “felt called to public service” and focuses on “lower costs, lower taxes, and increased healthcare access.” Images of Mr. Trump and references to “America First” have been removed.Ralph Alvarado in Kentucky scrubbed language casting him as an “America first fighter,” the Post reports. He now touts his “independent leadership.” In Iowa, Joe Mitchell removed a passage calling him a “trusted voice in the MAGA movement.” His website now calls for leaders who will “clean up Washington and put working families first.”Not all candidates have gone as far. Some, like Florida’s Eric Flores and Alaska Representative Nick Begich, have made subtler edits — removing specific pledges to support Trump’s agenda while retaining his endorsement on their sites. Despite attempts by some GOP candidates to create space from the president, Mr. Trump’s endorsement record in the 2026 primaries was 97 percent in late August, according to the president, with 256 of 264 candidates backed by Mr. Trump winning the primaries. Of those endorsed, 215, a vast majority incumbents, are running for U.S. House seats.How they fare in the general election remains to be seen. Nonetheless, the strategic backdrop for Mr. Trump’s acolytes is challenging based on public opinion polls. A UMass poll released last week put Mr. Trump’s overall approval at just 32 percent, with Republican approval down 14 points since March. Aggregates from Real Clear Polling show the president at 39.9 percent but have Republicans trailing Democrats by roughly 6.4 points in congressional matchups.Some party strategists are openly questioning the convention’s value. “I’ve heard people say, ‘Why are we doing this? What’s going on?'” Texas-based Republican consultant Reb Wayne told CNN. “It was a good idea at the time, but as we’ve gotten closer to it, I’m not sure it’s going to serve much benefit.”Democrats are doing their best to use the convention against Republicans. “Next week, billionaire mega-donors and their puppet politicians will gather at a convention in Dallas to clink champagne glasses and toast their own corruption. They’re paying $20,000 for entry to a Billionaire Ball celebrating corrupt tariffs, billionaire tax breaks, and a new forever war that are all driving grocery costs through the roof,” the Democratic Senate candidate in Texas, James Talarico, said in a statement to Politico.“We’ll be doing something different. We’re bringing Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together to collect groceries for our neighbors who have been screwed over by corrupt politicians.”For those attending, the two-day program is extensive. Night one, September 9, will be headlined by Vice President Vance and will cover tax cuts, healthcare, border enforcement, the SAVE America Act, and a “Two Visions for America” contrast with Democrats. But the event will compete for television viewers with the NFL season opener.Night two, September 10, will address school choice, food security, the 25th anniversary of September 11 and close with Mr. Trump’s primetime keynote address at 9 p.m. EDT — airing opposite an NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. High-profile attendees expected to be present include House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Senate majority leader, John Thune, and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

Dozens of Republicans To Skip Dallas Convention, Distancing Themselves From Trump Amid Competitive Races

Dozens of Republicans To Skip Dallas Convention, Distancing Themselves From Trump Amid Competitive Races

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