DALLAS — Republican faithful packed into the American Airlines Arena on Wednesday for the opening night of a two-day Republican midterm convention that they hope will jolt voter enthusiasm and prevent a Democratic takeover of Congress in November.
President Trump touched down in Dallas in the afternoon with a mission: Headline a raucous rally reminding voters of the GOP’s accomplishments and boost candidates in the nation’s most competitive races.
Convention attendees were excited, but also wary of the upcoming election. Midterm elections are typically bad news for the party that controls the White House and analysts have declared control of the Senate a toss-up and Democrats likely to regain the gavel in the House.
“A convention, at the least, sparks some interest,” said Kevin Shifflett, a retired Army officer from Fairfax, Virginia, who is active in local Republican politics.
Mr. Shifflett, like other attendees, received free tickets to attend the event but said he’ll promote it to help get Republicans to the polls in November.
“This is a good thing to truly spark awareness. Everybody here is already going to vote that way anyway. What are we going to do to take this and translate it to bubbles on the ballot?” Mr. Shifflett said.
The Republican National Committee lined up dozens of speakers on the first night of the convention, alternating party leaders who promoted the GOP’s accomplishments and the Trump agenda with GOP candidates running in critical races who desperately need help in the polls.
The event was dubbed “Trump-a-looza,” but the main stars were candidates scrapping to win in the nation’s most hotly contested races.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, running neck-and-neck against Democrat James Talarico for the state’s U.S. Senate seat, was a prime-time speaker, as was Sen. John Husted who is tied in the polls against Democrat Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s critical race.
They promoted themselves while paying homage to Mr. Trump.
“The press, the courts, and the establishment all tried to take President Trump down, but he’s won every single time. He’s delivered more for this country than anyone before, secured victories for America that no other president could, and always stood up for Texans,” Mr. Paxton said.
Other speakers included Rep. Mike Collins, who is running to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in Georgia; and House candidates Mike LiPetri, running in New York’s 3rd Congressional District; Jay Feely, running in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District; and Mike Bouchard Jr., the GOP nominee in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District.
SEE ALSO: ‘Brink of ruin’: Bessent blasts Joe Biden’s economic record at GOP convention
Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, who frequently criticizes far-left figures in his own party, made a surprise cameo at convention, appearing in a video message and further distancing himself from the socialist-leaning elements of his party.
In a pre-recorded message, Mr. Fetterman praised fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican, and vowed to work with President Trump on issues that affect the state.
“Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Mr. Fetterman said. “Because, well, I’m a common‑sense Democrat.’
“I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and the anti‑American way of life,” he said. “Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend.”
Mr. Fetterman also said he will work with Mr. Trump to “fight and defend” Pennsylvania’s steel industry.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, head of the Republicans’ Senate campaign arm, delivered a fiery speech attacking the Democratic Party’s tilt toward socialism.
“This midterm we face the most dangerous, radical, and frankly weird Democrat candidates in American history,” Mr. Scott said.
Some Republican candidates in competitive races were a no-show, which critics attributed to Mr. Trump’s low approval ratings.
The president brushed off those claims on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews before heading to Texas.
“Everybody wants to come. We are going to be sold out tonight,” Mr. Trump said.
By 7:30 p.m., the lower levels and floor of the arena were mostly full, but there were many empty seats on the upper level.
Mr. Trump, before arriving at the arena, huddled with his super PAC, MAGA Inc., at a nearby hotel.
Al Zito, of Southlake, Texas, was waiting in the arena to hear Mr. Trump speak and reflected on the upcoming election.
“The midterms are always a difficult time for whichever party,” he said. “It’s a lower turnout election. If Republicans turn out in November, there’s not going to be a problem. But getting people out to vote and the pathetic percentage of overall people that wind up voting is sad.”
“What I’m worried about is turnout. If we get the turnout, we’re not going to have a problem,” he concluded.
• Seth McLaughlin contributed to this report.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.