Washington Examiner congressional reporter Ramsey Touchberry said the first-ever midterm convention is helping build excitement for the GOP, and also provides an important platform for the party to get in sync.
“It was giving President Trump what he wanted from the party,” to “gin up some support and enthusiasm before the elections,” Touchberry said on C-Span’s Washington Journal Wednesday.
The Republican Party’s 2026 midterm convention is being held Sept. 9 and 10 in Dallas. The event will focus on President Donald Trump and the GOP’s agenda. Trump and Vice President JD Vance will be the keynote speakers.
“Obviously, the incumbent party typically struggles in these midterms, the president just coming back into office,” Touchberry said. “It’s no secret that Democrats are really enthusiastic about the midterms, so this is one way for Republicans to try to get their supporters, their candidates, and everyone not only on the same page, but to really get some enthusiasm.”
Trump is expected to speak both nights of the event, marking a unique shift from typical conventions.
“It’s structured very differently,” he said, and highlighted the emphasis on the event’s fundraising aspects.
“You are going to see a lot of candidates up onstage also rallying around the president, a lot of his administration officials, Cabinet members,” Touchberry said.
Fundraising, including private events with the president and vice president, such as “Photo ops, meetings, lunches, dinners,” will happen throughout the day, he said. He also noted that some of the photo opportunities are available to donors for tens of thousands of dollars, “on top of these lunch fees and meet and greet fees.”
Touchberry said the fundraising will focus on Senate races, with the president’s main talking points focused on healthcare, border security, and the economy.
“I think you can expect him to talk a little bit about the other side of the aisle, too,” he predicted. “Republicans, a big rallying cry for them, is to talk about Democratic socialism and how they feel it’s taken over the party.”
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The Democratic Socialists of America published their platform called “Workers Deserve More.” It includes eliminating the U.S. Senate, granting amnesty for all immigrants, defunding the Department of War, and replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote for president.
“If we lived in a classless society and governed ourselves, we could freely build a world without war or poverty,” the platform said. “We could build a world where no one suffers for their race, gender, or religion, and everyone is free, equal, and cared for. Building this world is the guiding star of our movement.”
The platform has served as a key argument for Republicans pushing the message that the Democratic Party has gone too far. But a concern for Republicans is how well their message is received.
“Obviously, the worry is how much does he [Trump] veer off course, how much does he stay on message?”
However, Touchberry said Vance will be “helping to fine-tune some of that messaging where the president might veer off a lot.”
The convention is up against Thursday night football, where the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will compete in an NFL rivalry matchup in Melbourne, Australia, which Netflix will stream.
“They’re going to have some competition for sure on the airwaves,” Touchberry said.
He added that the convention is seen as more of an “insider event.”
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“I think it’s going to be tough for them to break out into that more general, wide audience,” Touchberry said.
Speakers for the midterm convention will begin around 4 and 5 p.m. EDT on Sept. 9.