President Donald Trump has a vision for next week’s GOP convention in Dallas: a televised spectacle putting Republican candidates in front of midterm voters and top party donors just two months before the Election Day — with Trump himself headlining the show.
But a POLITICO survey of more than 70 GOP candidates and members revealed that most either do not plan to attend or are still weighing whether to go. Dozens more declined to share their plans.
The 45 Republicans cited a variety of reasons for skipping the first midterm convention put on by a major party in more than four decades. Some cited prior obligations such as fundraisers or events in their districts that were planned before the convention was scheduled in June. Others had personal conflicts, like weddings and family events, and still others raised qualms about the five-figure-minimum fees that party officials want attending lawmakers to pony up.
And some Republicans in tough races are steering clear of the gathering — which has come to be called “Trump-a-palooza” in some GOP circles — as they face growing hesitation about associating themselves with the polarizing president so close to the election.
“I just felt I’d be more useful in my district,” said Rep. Tom Barrett, who is facing a tough campaign to keep his central Michigan seat. “I travel a lot for this job and if I can be back home and see my family and do the job back home as well, then that’s sort of what I lean toward doing.”
Asked if the president’s remarks might cause him problems back home, Barrett said: “I can’t control what the president’s going to say at the convention, but I can control where I’m at, what I’m doing.”
Several other Republicans in key races targeted by Democrats said they weren’t committing to attend.
“I’m going to be in my district,” Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) said when asked about his plans, while Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) said, “I’m not sure yet.” Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) isn’t planning to go, according to people granted anonymity to describe his decision. And Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) said he instead plans to visit colleges with his daughter.
Trump will be the headline speaker of the two-day convention inside the American Airlines Center, with Vice President JD Vance also set to address Republicans.
Most top House and Senate GOP leaders will be in attendance, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Some potential 2028 presidential contenders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), will also be in attendance, as will some Senate Republicans from marquee battleground races.
Former Rep. Mike Rogers, who is trying to flip retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ seat in Michigan, and Sen. Jon Husted, who is working to fend off a challenge from former Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, will both attend, according to their campaigns. Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who is expected to be the next Senate GOP campaign chair, is also planning to be there.
Johnson said he has been “promoting this everywhere” as an important event for the party but also acknowledged it’s a crucial time for some of his members to spend time in their districts.
“They’ve got to all make their own individual decision … but the people that do come are going to have a great time,” Johnson said in an interview, adding that he expects high attendance during the convention. He acknowledged in a news conference Tuesday, however, that some members will need to be in their districts because “it’s critical time right before early voting begins nationwide.”
With Trump front and center at the convention, some Republicans are privately fretting about slipping presidential approval ratings in their districts amid the ongoing conflict in Iran, a trade war with Canada and rising prices from both. Other moves by the administration, such as a deal tackling beef imports to address affordability, have angered other key GOP constituencies.
One House Republican not attending the convention who was granted anonymity to speak candidly called the event “a waste of time” and said the planning has been “a mess.”
“You shouldn’t be having to rally your base at this point,” the member said. “You should be trying to convince independents. Independents are not attending nor watching the midterm convention.”
RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre said in a statement responding to those claims that “the outreach and enthusiasm to attend, participate, and speak at this historic midterm convention has been incredible.”
“Republicans across the country are rallying behind President Trump’s America First agenda that’s brought lower drug prices, lower taxes, and a secure border, and this convention will provide the momentum needed to expand our majorities in November,” she added.
But even some Republicans who might benefit from campaigning with Trump said the costs members are being asked to pay to attend were getting in the way. Another House Republican granted anonymity to speak candidly pointed to the $25,000 minimum attendee donation suggested by the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is distributing RNC-provided tickets to members.
“I didn’t want to go anyways. That made it easier,” the member said.
According to an NRCC memo obtained by POLITICO, that donation gives a member the right to book one hotel room in the committee’s block as well as two tickets to a welcome reception and the convention itself. Higher tiers of giving up to $100,000 come with access to additional rooms, tickets and events. An NRCC spokesperson declined to comment.
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) cited the price tag in explaining why he is still “not sure” whether he would attend.
“It’s $25,000, apparently — I just got a bill,” said Burchett.
With the convention being seen inside the party as a key late fundraising opportunity, several GOP lawmakers who intend to be there, including some committee chairs, plan to give much more than $25,000, according to three people familiar with the planning for the event.
But other powerful members are taking a pass, including two of the most senior members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Ohio Rep. Bob Latta, who chairs the panel’s Energy subcommittee, said he had events back in his district, and Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith, who chairs the Oversight subpanel, said he preferred to be home campaigning.
“I should be safe,” Griffith said in an interview. “But no member of Congress from the 9th Congressional District of Virginia has left voluntarily since 1952.”
House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole said he is not attending because he has a dove-hunting event back home in Oklahoma.
Several northeastern members, including Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Andrew Garbarino of New York, said they have commitments in their districts related to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Less surprising are the alternate plans being made by moderate Republicans who are facing tough elections in the fall and don’t necessarily benefit from being associated with the president.
A campaign spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said she will not be in attendance, citing a “long standing practice of not going to conventions while she is in cycle.”
“I’m not a party guy,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) said in an interview Tuesday, explaining why he won’t be in Texas next week. “I believe in ending the two-party system. Get back to our roots as a country.”
Riley Rogerson, Kelsey Brugger, Katherine Tully-McManus and Calen Razor contributed to this report.
