Trump takes center stage at Republican convention, but battleground candidates say his presence could hurt them

Donald Trump plans to dominate the Republican Party's first midterm-election convention, but some of the candidates he hopes to help are trying to keep their distance.

The convention will take place in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 9 and 10. Trump will deliver both the opening keynote and the closing speech, while Vice President JD Vance will give the keynote on the second day. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., are also scheduled to appear. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott are among the party leaders expected to attend.

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Think of me as being on the ballot.

The central purpose is to bring Trump's strongest supporters, the MAGA voters, to the polls for a midterm election in which Trump himself is not a candidate. At a rally last month, Trump urged voters to “think of me as being on the ballot.” At a White House dinner on the 2nd, he told Republican lawmakers from battleground areas that he would campaign across all the competitive districts during the final 30 days before the election.

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Some of the advice was, ‘If you mention him too much, you're doomed, and if you get on his bad side, you're doomed.’

But Politico reported that Trump's plan is creating pressure for candidates in close races. Some have reportedly told the president's political team that they would prefer him not to visit their districts. Republican pollsters have also advised vulnerable candidates to avoid mentioning Trump or limit direct references to him. One battleground House candidate told Politico, “Some of the advice was, ‘If you mention him too much, you're doomed, and if you get on his bad side, you're doomed.’”

The distancing is visible on campaign websites and at the convention itself. The Washington Post reported that at least seven Republican House candidates in battleground races recently removed or reduced references to Trump or his policies. Michigan candidate Mike Bouchard removed a prominent endorsement by Trump, while Kentucky candidate Ralph Alvarado deleted the phrase “America First fighter” and began emphasizing “independent leadership.” About 100 lawmakers and candidates are expected in Dallas, but some facing difficult races, including Maine Senator Susan Collins, will stay away. Michigan Representative Tom Barrett said, “I can't control what the president says at the convention, but I can control where I am and what I do,” and said he would remain in his district.

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I can't control what the president says at the convention, but I can control where I am and what I do.