[UPDATE] 45 of 70-plus GOP candidates surveyed are skipping or undecided on the Dallas convention, where tickets cost $25,000
The first Republican midterm convention opened in Dallas, and 45 of more than 70 GOP candidates and officials told Politico they are skipping it or have not decided. They cited scheduling conflicts and the $25,000 ticket price. Trump gives the keynote Wednesday, Sept. 9, and the closing remarks Thursday, Sept. 10, joined by Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
PREVIOUSLY
On Monday, Sept. 7, the Republican Party opened the first midterm convention in Dallas. It is the first midterm convention either party has held since the Democrats tried one in 1978.
The details:
- One attendee, per The Guardian: "This is essentially a Trump rally that they're calling a midterm convention."
- The Democrats were the last party to try a midterm convention, in 1978. That meeting is remembered for exposing the split between Carter and the party's left.