Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not giving a speech at the Republican Party's midterm convention in Texas, opting instead to attend a fundraiser for Attorney General Ken Paxton who he has recently endorsed for Senate against Democratic nominee James Talarico. According to Kellie Meyer, Thune wanted to give other candidates and members a chance to speak at the convention. The convention features several high-profile speakers, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, but Thune's absence from the lineup is notable given his leadership role in the party. With less than 60 days until the midterm elections, control of Congress hangs in the balance, with the Republican Party seeking to retain its majority.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has organized a two-day midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, from September 9-10, featuring 109 speakers and events, including speeches by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The event aims to boost support for the GOP among its base, but some lawmakers are skipping it to campaign in their districts or attend fundraisers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has announced that Democrats will send four members of his caucus to Texas to counterprogram the convention, highlighting the affordability crisis and exposing Trump Cartel corruption, as well as holding Republicans accountable for their record on costs, Medicaid, and taxes.
Despite President Trump's record-low approval ratings, the RNC is betting that the midterms must be about him and a referendum on his second presidency. The event has been dubbed "Trumpapalooza" by organizers, and Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House of Representatives by 229 seats to 206, while putting the Senate at a knife-edge 50-50.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) will not be giving a speech at the convention, opting instead to attend a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate.
Written for “Midterm Election Strategy” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 5982 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is among the Republican Party’s most notable national leaders not delivering a speech at the first-ever midterm convention in Texas later this week.
asserted
Thune → deliver → Texas
The Republican National Committee has released the full list of keynote speakers for the party’s convention.
asserted
Committee → release → convention
He is still expected to attend the convention in Dallas, though.
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He → expect → Dallas
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The convention is arriving less than 60 days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, when the nation will decide the fate of the Republican Party’s control over Congress.
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nation → arrive → Congress
Thune opted out of making a speech because “he wanted to ensure candidates and other members who aren’t often afforded a national platform had the opportunity to address the convention,” NewsNation White House correspondent Kellie Meyer reported, based on a source.
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Meyer → opt → source
Instead of appearing on stage, Thune will be attending a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate against Democratic nominee James Talarico.
asserted
who → appear → Talarico
The Senate majority leader’s expected appearance at the fundraiser is notable, considering he initially supported incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in his primary bid against Paxton.
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he → expect → Paxton
Thune later endorsed the state attorney general.
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Thune → endorse → general
Paxton is among the speakers chosen to headline the two-day midterm convention, scheduled to run from Wednesday to Thursday.
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Paxton → choose → Thursday
Other speakers include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC).
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speakers → include → Johnson
President Donald Trump is also set to speak, delivering the keynote address on the first night and the closing speech on the second.
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Trump → set → second
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to open the second night with his keynote address.
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Vance → schedule → address
Though there have been some disagreements between Thune and the White House, Vance maintains the president’s relationship with the Senate Republican leader is “very good.”
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relationship → maintain → leader
Trump declined to endorse Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over passing the SAVE America Act and eliminating the filibuster.
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Trump → decline → filibuster
Separately, Vance said it wasn’t his “business” to lend an endorsement either.
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it → say → endorsement
Apart from the reported intraparty tensions, Thune is more concerned about the party’s loss of control over the Senate if Democrats win enough seats this year.
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Democrats → report → seats
This fear would explain why he is publicly backing Paxton at this week’s fundraiser.
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he → explain → fundraiser
“I worry about that, for sure,” Thune told South Dakota outlet Keloland News last week.
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Thune → worry → News
“I’m a realist, and I just think you — I don’t ever try and sugarcoat things.
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I → ’m → things
I think it’s a competitive environment right now.
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it → think → ?
I think we got the highest-quality candidates.”
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we → think → candidates
