The two-night event runs September 9–10, 2026 at American Airlines Center. It is billed as a primetime showcase for the Trump agenda and GOP candidates heading into the November midterms. Texas is both the host and one of the most represented states on the program.
Texas Speakers at the RNC Midterm Convention in Dallas
Ten Texas elected officials and congressional candidates appear on the announced roster. That is a heavy home-state presence for an event expected to draw national cameras two months before Election Day.
Statewide and congressional leaders
- Governor Greg Abbott
- Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
- Attorney General Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate
- U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)
- U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill (TX-26)
- Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
Texas congressional candidates
- Eric Flores (TX-34)
- Carlos De La Cruz (TX-35)
- Tano Tijerina (TX-28)
The three South Texas House candidates are running in districts Republicans have targeted for expansion. Putting them on a national convention stage in Dallas gives those races extra visibility.
Paxton wins Senate runoff, setting up difficult contest with Talarico | Courthouse News Service
Ken Paxton is listed explicitly as both Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate. That dual billing is already drawing comment because he is the Republican nominee against Democrat James Talarico in one of the cycle’s highest-profile Senate races. Tex.org has covered the Paxton vs Talarico matchup and the voter groups that will decide it.
National Headliners and Cabinet Lineup
President Donald Trump speaks both nights: keynote on Night One and closing remarks on Night Two. Vice President JD Vance delivers the Night Two keynote.
Trump, Vance to speak at RNC Midterm Convention in Dallas – CBS News
Other announced national speakers include:
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz
- HUD Secretary Scott Turner
- Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
- Donald Trump Jr.
House and Senate leadership slots go to Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, NRSC Chair Tim Scott, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and several other conference and campaign chairs.
The programming mix includes candidate showcases, tax and border segments, and “everyday Americans” stories the RNC says will contrast Republican and Democratic agendas. Official schedule details are posted at gopconvention.com.
Why the Dallas Convention Matters for the Texas Senate Race
Texas has not elected a Democrat statewide since 1994. Midterms still reward turnout among people who already vote. A two-night national convention in Dallas, with Paxton on the program and Trump appearing both nights, is free media and organizational energy for the GOP ticket.
Paxton’s speaking slot arrives while the Senate race remains competitive on paper. Recent coverage on Tex.org has focused on the five voter groups that will decide Paxton vs Talarico and what the race means for border policy, costs, and turnout. A high-profile Dallas stage does not change the fundamentals, but it does give the Republican nominee a national platform in his home state two months out.
How Gov. Greg Abbott wields power – Axios San Antonio
Abbott and Cruz add statewide name recognition. Cruz is not on the 2026 ballot; his appearance is party-building and Texas branding. Abbott’s slot keeps the governor’s record and the state’s redistricting and border record in the conversation.
Full Announced Categories (from the RNC list)
Keynote / administration
President Trump (both nights), Vice President Vance (Night Two), Scott Bessent, Todd Blanche, RFK Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, Scott Turner, Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump Jr.
Republican leadership
Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Tim Scott, Rep. Steve Scalise, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Lisa McClain, Rep. Richard Hudson, RNC Chair Joe Gruters.
Elected officials and candidates
The Texas names above plus senators and House members from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida, New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, and others, plus additional Senate and House candidates from Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, and Arizona.
The complete four-page list first circulated in Svitek’s post. Texas Scorecard and Axios later confirmed the same Texas names.
Practical Details for Texans
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Programming windows run roughly 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET each night.
- Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas.
- Watch: The RNC is promoting a live stream. Local Dallas-Fort Worth stations and national cable will carry portions. Check gopconvention.com for the latest stream link.
- Security and traffic: Downtown Dallas already has perimeter fencing and checkpoints. Expect delays around the arena.
The convention is historic because national parties almost never hold a full midterm convention. Hosting it in Dallas puts Texas infrastructure, Texas elected officials, and the Texas Senate race in the same two-night window. That is the story the speaker list tells.
Related Tex.org coverage:
5 Texas Voter Groups That Decide Paxton vs Talarico · Paxton vs Talarico: What the 2026 Texas Senate Race Means for You · 2026 Texas U.S. House Races
Last updated September 8, 2026.