By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans plan to stage a convention in Dallas in September to rally voters for their party’s candidates ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections, two Republicans familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
An off-year convention is unusual, with such events usually held only during presidential election years. Republicans are under pressure to hold on to control of Congress for Trump’s final two years in office and worry that voter unease over the economy and Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran could hurt their efforts.
Trump plans to address the gathering, according to the Republican sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The move would further tie him to the election’s outcome at a moment when Republicans are confronting historical headwinds. The party that holds the White House in the first midterm elections after a presidential election usually loses congressional seats.
The Republican sources said that the event is expected to be held around the second week of September, possibly at the American Airlines Center.
Bloomberg, which first reported the news, said the convention would be held on September 9-10.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Republicans face a crucial test in Texas over whether they can continue to dominate politics in the state. Trump dealt a stunning blow to longtime incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn by endorsing his opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton easily defeated Cornyn in the Republican primary election.
This has set up a November battle between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Democrats see the scandal-tarred Paxton as vulnerable and are pouring money into the race in hopes of finally breaking Republicans’ grip on the state.
Trump wants to use the convention to rally his Make America Great Again faithful to vote in November, the sources said. Voter turnout in midterm elections is historically much lower than in presidential elections.
A Democratic takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives or Senate could complicate Trump’s agenda for his remaining time in office.
(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Mark Porter)
