Democrats seek to counter RNC’s ‘Trump-a-palooza’ convention in Dallas

Democrats are seeking to seize on the Republican National Committee’s first-of-its-kind midterm convention with plans for counterprogramming around the two-day Dallas bash as the party eyes a Senate flip in the red state. 

Republicans are hopeful the so-called “Trump-a-palooza” next week excites the base about turning out amid a bleak midterm outlook for the GOP and concerns about low attendance, timing and President Trump’s approval rating. The toss-up Senate race in Texas, where Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico, will be a major focus. 

Meanwhile, more than a dozen organizations are planning to rally in downtown Dallas to pull focus as top Republicans address the convention crowd. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also announced on Friday that a four-member House delegation would be headed to Dallas to underscore the contrast between the two parties. 

“I don’t know who we have to pay to thank the Republicans for doing this at this time, but I’m happy they’re coming. I hope it gets as much airtime as possible,” said Matt Angle, founder of the Lone Star Project, a Texas-based Democratic PAC. “It gives Democrats another event to organize around and another opportunity to make the case in a convincing way.” 

Around 100 members and candidates are set to attend the Dallas convention, and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has distributed more than 2,000 tickets, a source familiar told The Hill. The RNC has said thousands will be in attendance. Vice President Vance will cap off the first night with a speech, and Trump will deliver the closing-night keynote address. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are among the top GOP names expected to attend, as is Senate hopeful Paxton.

“We are excited to be in Dallas for a first-of-its-kind midterm convention that will show the American people exactly what’s at stake in November,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a Thursday release previewing the event. 

Though a significant number of candidates and lawmakers have shared plans to skip the convention — citing costs, conflicts and the campaign trail — the event has been billed........

© The Hill