RNC Weighs Dallas Arena for First‑Ever Midterm Convention
Representatives from the Republican National Committee recently toured the American Airlines Center in Dallas as they consider hosting a first‑of‑its‑kind national midterm convention ahead of the November 2026 elections. Arena general manager Dave Brown said he provided GOP officials with capacity figures — up to 20,000 for a concert and 16,000 for large conventions — and scheduling details for late summer and early fall, but emphasized that no deal is in place. In a statement, RNC senior adviser Danielle Alvarez framed the planned midterm gathering as a product of President Donald Trump’s 'leadership' and said any reporting on location or dates remains speculative until contracts are signed. SMU political scientist Matthew Wilson told CBS News Texas that the choice of Dallas would underscore how competitive Republicans view the Texas U.S. Senate race, in which Democrat James Talarico will face the winner of a GOP runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. With Trump’s polling numbers slipping and history showing the president’s party usually loses congressional seats in midterms, Wilson said Republicans are looking to use a high‑profile convention to stoke base enthusiasm and turnout, especially in Texas.
📌 Key Facts
- RNC representatives toured the American Airlines Center in Dallas late last month to evaluate it as a possible site for a new national midterm convention before the November 2026 elections.
- AAC general manager Dave Brown said the arena can hold about 20,000 people for concerts and has previously hosted conventions of up to 16,000 attendees, and that RNC staff reviewed event calendars for late summer to early fall.
- RNC senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said the upcoming midterm convention is driven by President Trump’s 'America First' leadership but stressed that no contracts have been signed and location and date reports are still speculative.
- Democrat James Talarico is already the party’s nominee for the Texas U.S. Senate race, while Republican voters will choose between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff.
- SMU Professor Matthew Wilson said holding a midterm convention in Dallas would signal Republicans see the Texas Senate race as both competitive and crucial, and that the party is seeking to generate turnout amid Trump’s weakening polls.
📊 Relevant Data
The Hispanic population in Texas grew by approximately 2 million between 2010 and 2020, increasing from 9.5 million to 11.4 million, accounting for a significant portion of the state's overall population growth and contributing to its shifting political landscape.
2020 Census Profiles | Texas — NALEO Educational Fund
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the Hart-Celler Act, ended national origin quotas and facilitated increased immigration from Latin America, contributing to the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas from a minor share in 1970 to over 11 million by 2020.
Shaping Texas: The Effects of Immigration, 1970-2020 — Center for Immigration Studies
In midterm elections since 1934, the president's party has lost an average of 37 House seats when the president's job approval rating is below 50%.
Midterm Seat Loss Averages 37 for Unpopular Presidents — Gallup
A March 2026 poll showed Democrat James Talarico leading Republican incumbent John Cornyn 48% to 44% and leading Ken Paxton 49% to 43% in hypothetical Texas Senate matchups, with breakdowns indicating stronger support for Talarico among Hispanic voters at 55% versus 35% for Cornyn.
Talarico leads Cornyn and Paxton in Senate race in new poll — FOX 7 Austin
National voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections was about 52% among eligible voters, with White turnout at 57%, Black at 48%, Hispanic at 40%, and Asian at 38%, reflecting disparities that could impact close races like Texas's Senate contest.
Voter turnout in US elections, 2018-2022 — Pew Research Center
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