Transcript: Sunoco chairman Ray Washburne on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Sept. 6, 2026

Ray Washburne said the Republican midterm convention in Dallas would draw about 20,000 people from all 50 states and every U.S. territory, as participants began arriving over the weekend.

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We have 20,000 people attending all 50 states, every territory, and people have started arriving this weekend.

Washburne, the chairman of Sunoco and co-chair of the convention’s host committee, said the Republican National Committee handled attendance packages and could provide details about reports that some lawmakers were being asked to pay $25,000. He said the event had generated “a high degree of energy” in Dallas.

The convention’s timing could make attendance difficult for candidates in close district races, Margaret Brennan noted. Washburne replied that the gathering would offer candidates access to donors and prominent figures from the administration and donor community. He said events were scheduled throughout the day and that candidates could benefit even from attending for only one day. Nearly every race, he added, would be represented, apart from a couple of candidates who could not leave their campaigns.

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There are going to be a lot of donors here and high-profile people, not only in the administration but in the donor community.

Brennan also asked whether former Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate, would be the convention’s central candidate after President Trump highlighted him. Washburne rejected that characterization, saying every candidate was a focus. He said Paxton had particular visibility because Texas was his home state, and noted that Trump had announced a $10 million contribution to Paxton’s campaign, with more expected. Washburne also said Elon Musk had announced a substantial contribution.

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Every candidate is a focus of the convention.