DALLAS—The Republican Party kicked off its midterm convention on Wednesday, putting Texas Republicans in the spotlight with less than two months remaining before the November election.
The two-day gathering at the American Airlines Center is the Republican Party’s first midterm convention and features elected officials, members of the Trump administration, candidates, and activists from across the country.
Texas figures played a prominent role throughout the opening night.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, a former member of the Texas House, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, a Texas native, both addressed affordability and the administration’s economic agenda.
Several members of Texas’ congressional delegation also took the stage, including U.S. Reps. Brandon Gill and Monica De La Cruz.
“This November, Americans have a very clear choice: it’s the mainstream versus the extreme,” said Gill.
“Our country will not go back to Democrats’ woke insanity. We will not go back to divisive, racialized politics. We will not go back to 9 percent Biden inflation, and we absolutely will not go back to open borders,” he added.
Gill said Republicans instead need to return the country to “common sense,” saying he wants his children to grow up with the same values passed down through his family.
Texas Children’s Hospital whistleblowers Vanessa Sivadge and Dr. Eithan Haim also addressed the convention, recounting their efforts to expose gender mutilation procedures on minors at the Houston hospital.
“We are deeply grateful to the Trump administration, to Attorney General Ken Paxton and to the Republicans in Congress who are fighting for these children and who believe unapologetically that each of these children is made in the image of God,” said Sivadge.
Sivadge challenged attendees to consider how they would respond when vulnerable children are at risk.
“What will America’s response be when the most vulnerable members of our society are under attack?” asked Sivadge. “Dr. Haim and I know what we would do because we’ve done it. We’ve stood, we’ve fought back, and we won.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, used his convention appearance to contrast himself with Democrat James Talarico and promote the affordability plan he has made a centerpiece of his campaign.
Paxton recounted growing up as the son of an Air Force veteran and said his campaign is focused on Texans who are “working harder than ever” but remain concerned they will never get ahead.
He highlighted his Protecting the Texas Promise plan, which calls for new federal tax deductions for medical expenses, home purchases, and healthy-living expenses, as well as an expansion of the child tax credit and making Trump Accounts permanent.
“I want every Texan to be able to buy a home, raise their family, and live a healthy life,” said Paxton.
Paxton then turned his attention to Talarico, whose challenge for the open Senate seat has become a major focus of the election in Texas.
“He wants to transition your kids. He wants to transition Texas off of oil and gas,” said Paxton. “How about we transition him and his crazy ideas right out of Texas?”
Paxton called Talarico “the most radical Democrat in Texas history” and warned Republicans that the outcome of the Texas race could have national consequences.
“If we lose Texas, we lose the common sense revolution,” said Paxton. “If we lose the common sense revolution, we lose America.”
President Donald Trump capped off the opening night, urging Republicans to defy the historical trend of the president’s party losing ground in midterm elections.
“In 55 days, Americans will be going to the polls at one of the most important elections in our country’s history,” said Trump.
Trump urged his supporters to approach November as though his own name were once again on the ballot.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” said Trump. “I’m on the ballot. Just one more time.”
Trump said he plans to campaign extensively ahead of Election Day, identifying roughly 35 competitive congressional and Senate races where he intends to hold rallies and other events.
That effort, Trump said, will include a return to Texas to campaign for Paxton.
“I’ll be coming back to Texas because we have to elect Ken Paxton,” said Trump. “If I have to, I’ll come back twice or three times.”
“He’s the greatest attorney general in America,” he added. “We have so many victories because of him.”
Vice President J.D. Vance will keynote the convention on Thursday. Trump is slated to speak again to close out the convention.
