GOP Senators Divided Over Attendance at Trump-Hosted Midterm Convention

Republican leaders are weighing whether to appear at the party’s midterm convention in Dallas, a gathering organized by former President Donald Trump. While party officials tout the event as a catalyst for voter turnout, several vulnerable senators have opted out, citing the risk of being tied to a president whose approval is slipping among key independent voters.

The Hill

A Civiqs tracking poll of registered voters shows Trump trailing among independents in several Senate battleground states: 21 % approval versus 61 % disapproval in Maine, and 28 % approval versus 65 % disapproval in North Carolina. In South Dakota, an Impact Research poll of 500 likely voters found incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds and independent challenger Brian Bengs dead-locked at 44 % each, underscoring the pressure on GOP candidates. The Labor Department reported that employers added 162,000 jobs in August, a figure Republicans hope will bolster their economic narrative.

The Hill

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced she will not travel to the Dallas event, emphasizing an independent campaign schedule. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) also declined, stating, “I’m back in the state of South Dakota,” — Sen. Mike Rounds. He added that South Dakota ranchers view Trump’s decision to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign-raised beef as a betrayal, even though the president remains popular locally.

The Hill

Conversely, Sen. Marshall warned that high inflation and rising costs are pressing issues for voters, citing a consumer-price index increase of more than 3 % annually and a 50 % rise in housing, healthcare, childcare, and property-insurance costs over the past four years.

The Hill

• “I’m back in the state of South Dakota,” — Sen. Mike Rounds

The Hill

Republican strategists remain split: some warn that aligning with Trump could alienate independents in tight races, while others count on his ability to mobilize the party’s base. The convention’s impact will likely hinge on whether the anticipated turnout offsets the president’s low independent approval in pivotal Senate contests.

The Hill