The first-ever Republican midterm convention opened in Dallas on Wednesday, placing Donald Trump at the centre of the party’s campaign to retain control of Congress in November.
Republicans have gathered at the American Airlines Center for the two-day event, which is intended to rally supporters, promote the party’s candidates and set its message for the final weeks of the 2026 midterm campaign.
Trump was scheduled to deliver the opening night’s headline address between 8pm and 9pm local time. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate in a closely watched Senate race, was also among the speakers due to appear before the convention.
The gathering is an unprecedented move for the Republican Party, which traditionally holds national conventions during presidential election years. Unlike a formal nominating convention, the Dallas event has no official party business to conduct and is instead focused on speeches, campaigning and fundraising.
Vice-President JD Vance was also scheduled to address delegates on the first night, with Trump expected to return to the stage on Thursday. More than 100 Republican lawmakers and candidates were expected to attend, alongside donors and state and local party officials.
Security measures and road closures in Dallas
The convention has brought extensive security measures to the area around the arena. Roads including Victory Avenue, North Houston Street, Nowitzki Way, Payne Street and North Field Street have been closed or restricted, causing disruption for motorists and local businesses.
The DART Victory Park station has also been closed for the event, while ride-hailing vehicles have been barred from entering the designated security zone. Restrictions are expected to remain in place around the convention site until late Friday.
The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a temporary ban on drone flights around the American Airlines Center. Counter-drone equipment has been deployed as part of the wider security operation.
Dallas last hosted a Republican national convention in 1984, when Ronald Reagan accepted his party’s presidential nomination. This week’s gathering has returned the city to the centre of national Republican politics, but with the focus firmly on the next congressional elections.
Democrats have organised counter-events in and around Dallas, seeking to challenge the Republican message and draw attention to issues they say will shape the midterms. A delegation of House Democrats, including Robert Garcia of California, Jason Crow of Colorado, Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania and Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, was due to take part.
Texas Democrats have also planned their own activities near the convention grounds, including press conferences and events intended to contrast the Republican gathering with concerns over the cost of living and the direction of the Trump administration.
The choice of Dallas carries particular significance because of the Texas Senate race between Paxton and Democratic state representative James Talarico. The contest is one of the most closely watched races of the midterms and has made Texas a central testing ground for Trump’s influence over Republican candidates.
Republicans are using the convention to present a united front behind Trump and to persuade voters that the November 3 elections should be treated as a choice between the administration’s agenda and Democratic policies. Democrats, meanwhile, hope the president’s dominant role will make the election a referendum on his record.
