Democrats Plan to Compete With GOP Midterm Convention

Democrats aren't letting "Trump-a-palooza" have Texas to itself. As the Republican National Committee rolls out its first midterm convention in Dallas next week, Democrats and allied groups are building a parallel slate of rallies, protests, and visits by House members aimed at turning the GOP's show of force into their own organizing moment in a state they suddenly see as in play. More than a dozen progressive organizations and unions plan demonstrations downtown, the Hill reports, capped by a City Hall rally just before President Trump's keynote speech.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is dispatching a four-member delegation to hammer Republicans on costs, health care, immigration, and the Iran war. At the same time, Democrat James Talarico, who holds a slim polling edge over Trump-backed Attorney General Ken Paxton in the neck-and-neck Senate race, will counter with a statewide "Love Thy Neighbor" food drive. Republicans say the convention will energize their base. Analysts say it could just as easily give Democrats a fresh rallying point in a state where both parties now see real risk. A fair number of Texas Democrats wanted the national party to go further and host its own convention, per KVUE.