The Republican National Committee has selected Dallas to host the 2026 midterm election convention on September 9 and 10. This marks the first time the party will hold such an event during a midterm cycle in more than 40 years, with the previous North Texas gathering occurring in 1984 when Dallas maintained a Republican voter base.
Political consultant Brian Mayes attributed the location choice to Dallas’s position as the fourth-largest media market in the United States. He stated that organizers are prioritizing television exposure over local attendance numbers. The Dallas-Fort Worth region contains the majority of its major news outlets within the city limits, providing a strategic advantage for national coverage.
The decision has generated significant interest among local party members. Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman Tim Davis reported receiving numerous inquiries from elected officials and committee members regarding participation. He described the sentiment as widespread excitement for the upcoming event.
Organizers expect approximately 20,000 attendees to gather at the American Airlines Center, which has a capacity of roughly 20,000 people. This venue offers more space than Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, which can accommodate up to 14,000 individuals. The Dallas Host Committee, a private nonprofit established to support the event, reported raising $45 million in private donations within its first month.
Mayes suggested the convention aims to boost voter turnout for closely contested statewide races, including the contest between Attorney General Ken Paxton and state Representative James Talarico for the U.S. Senate seat. He noted that polling indicates Republican candidates are facing tighter competition than usual in Texas, where Democrats have not won a statewide office in over three decades.
Political science professor Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University pointed to shifting voter priorities as a factor in the current political climate. He observed that some voters may be reconsidering their support due to the party’s focus on social conservatism over economic issues.
