Republicans Rally in Texas Ahead of Midterm Convention

The Republican National Committee will hold its first midterm convention in Dallas on September 9 and 10, 2026, to rally party supporters and showcase Donald Trump. This national event follows a Texas Republican Party convention in Houston, where Greg Abbott, the Governor of Texas, urged supporters to "keep Texas, Texas" to maintain Republican control of the state.

State-level politics in Texas are undergoing an ideological transition from a business-oriented coalition to one defined by nationalism, populism, and social conservatism. This shift is evidenced by the primary defeat of establishment Senator John Cornyn by Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton. While Donald Trump remains the national figurehead, Governor Abbott is identified as the primary driver of the state's culturally conservative agenda, focusing on border security, education restrictions, and transgender rights.

Despite these rallies, Republicans face a mixed outlook for the 2026 midterms. While Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick maintain leads in statewide polling, some congressional districts have become more competitive. In the 15th District, incumbent Monica De La Cruz trails Democratic challenger Bobby Pulido 45% to 50%. Analysts suggest that Republican redistricting may have spread voters too thin and that Latino voters are distancing themselves from the party due to Donald Trump's immigration policies and mass deportations. Meanwhile, voters cite affordability and the cost of living as their primary concerns.