Republicans gearing up for November elections aren’t exactly flocking to next week’s GOP midterm convention in Dallas, the first held by a major party in more than four decades.
Republicans — ranging from battleground moderates to hard-line conservatives — are opting out of the televised spectacle as the party pushes through a final election sprint where their control of Congress is at stake.
A POLITICO survey of more than 70 GOP candidates and members revealed most either do not plan to go or are still weighing whether to go.
Those 45 Republicans cited a variety of reasons for their decision: Some said they had prior fundraising or event obligations planned before the convention was scheduled. Others described personal conflicts, like weddings and family events, while some raised qualms about the high fees party officials want attending members to pony up.
Others in tough races are steering clear of the gathering as they face growing hesitation about associating themselves with President Donald Trump, who is set to be a headline speaker along with Vice President JD Vance.
“I just felt I’d be more useful in my district,” Rep. Tom Barrett said in an interview.
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.”
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.
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, will also be in attendance, as will some Senate Republicans from marquee battleground races including Ohio Sen. Jon Husted. Sen. Bernie Moreno, who is expected to be the next Senate GOP campaign chair, is also planning to attend.
Johnson said he has been “promoting” the event but acknowledged Tuesday some members decided attending is not the best use of their time.
“They’ve got to all make their own individual decision,” Johnson said, adding “it’s critical time right before early voting begins nationwide.”
Some members were more candid in their criticism: One House Republican not attending the convention granted anonymity to speak openly called it “a waste of time” and said event planning has been “a mess.” Another member pointed to the $25,000 fee being charged by party organizers.
“I didn’t want to go anyways. That made it easier,” the member said of the cost.
What else we’re watching:
— JEFFRIES WEIGHS DEFECTOR DISCIPLINE: Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he is weighing disciplinary action against two Democratic members who Tuesday helped rescue Republicans’ floor agenda for the week. “We haven’t ruled anything in, and we haven’t ruled anything out,” Jeffries told POLITICO. Later, Jeffries and Democratic leadership in a statement said they were referring moderate Reps. Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez to the caucus’ rules panel. The duo’s support resulted in a 210-208 vote that was enough to prevent GOP hard-liners from freezing floor business for the week.
— LAWMAKERS READY MISCONDUCT BILL: The bipartisan House lawmaker duo writing a bill to better police members accused of sexual misconduct are finalizing a draft and want floor time by the end of the month. “Leadership has been with us every step of the way, and so we’re hoping to time it out for introduction and hopefully floor time in September,” Rep. Kat Cammack said. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández said they’re conducting their last listening sessions this week and taking staff input before finalizing language. Cammack added they’re also weighing moving the recommendations as a complete package or in two tranches, as some provisions can be addressed with a House rules change while others require Senate action.
Mia McCarthy, Meredith Lee Hill, Jordain Carney, Riley Rogerson and Chris Marquette contributed to this report.
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