Why some battleground GOP candidates are skipping this week’s Trump-backed midterm convention

Updated on: September 8, 2026 / 5:56 PM EDT / CBS News

Dallas — President Trump calls this week's Republican National Committee midterm convention a "rally like never before," and an opportunity to celebrate his administration's first two years ahead of the November elections. But the convention is taking place as the GOP faces headwinds over the unpopular war in Iran, and Mr. Trump's approval ratings have continued to slip.

Republican leaders and Trump allies are gathering for two days at a downtown Dallas arena, and are holding other off-site donor events and discussions centered around topics like domestic energy production. Loyal Trump supporters are coughing up five-digit sums to their respective national fundraising committees for a ticket.

But other Republicans running in competitive races are opting to save the money and campaign in their home districts or states.

CBS News attempted to contact 60 battleground gubernatorial, Senate and House candidates, and only four confirmed they would attend the convention. Five told CBS News they would not be going to Dallas, while the vast majority, 51 candidates, did not reply to CBS News' queries. Still, more than two dozen are scheduled to speak at the event, according to the RNC.

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/