Dozens of Republican lawmakers and candidates have indicated they will not attend the Republican National Committee’s inaugural midterm convention, scheduled for September 9-10 in Dallas, Texas. A survey of more than 70 members and candidates conducted by Politico found that at least 45 Republicans plan to skip the event. Those not attending cited reasons including prior obligations, the need to campaign in their home districts, and personal business such as family college visits or hunting trips.
The event, which President Donald Trump announced in June, represents a departure from traditional political cycles where major conventions are typically reserved for presidential nomination years. The RNC approved a rule change in January to permit this off-year gathering. While Trump has stated the convention will serve to rally the party and celebrate his administration's accomplishments, some unnamed House Republicans described the planning as disorganized and the event itself as unnecessary for mobilizing the party's base.
Attendance and participation costs have also drawn internal scrutiny. The RNC reportedly asked House members for $25,000 for a two-day ticket for themselves and a guest, with higher-tier tickets reaching $100,000. Additionally, private fundraising opportunities include a $250,000 roundtable with the President and a $75,000 roundtable with Vice President JD Vance. Individual photos with the President are priced at $88,600, while photos with the Vice President cost $35,000.
The scale of the event involves millions of dollars in potential political contributions, with specific price points ranging from $25,000 for basic member attendance to $250,000 for top-tier access. For small-business owners or individual donors, these costs represent significant financial barriers to direct access to the President and Vice President. The event is scheduled to take place just two months before the November midterm elections, meaning the messaging and turnout generated in Dallas will likely be the final national-scale effort by the GOP to influence the makeup of the next Congress.
The convention also sets a new precedent for how national parties utilize their resources during non-presidential years. If successful, it could institutionalize two-year convention cycles; if poorly attended, it may remain a one-time experiment. The knock-on effects could influence RNC budgeting for future cycles and the scheduling of similar events by the Democratic National Committee, which canceled its own planned midterm convention earlier this year. The convention begins on September 9, with Vice President Vance delivering a keynote address followed by President Trump on September 10.