Trump schedules first Republican national midterm convention in Dallas

President Donald Trump announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections to boost turnout in House and Senate races that will determine whether the party maintains control of Congress. The event is set for Sept. 9 and 10 in Dallas. The convention is intended to replicate some of the attention normally generated by major party conventions during presidential campaigns, with Republicans arguing that it could help energize voters as midterm elections approach—particularly because Republican leaders worry it could be harder to galvanize support without Trump on the ballot. The Dallas location also brings added focus to the Texas Senate race between Democratic nominee James Talarico and Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the state attorney general. Republicans have faced concerns that Paxton’s political and legal history could complicate his campaign, and the story connects the convention to the broader political landscape shaped by Texas redistricting efforts earlier in the decade.