Republicans are holding their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week, aiming to energise the party's base ahead of November's elections that will decide control of Congress. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to headline the two-day event, which comes as the GOP defends narrow House and Senate majorities against a backdrop of Trump's weak approval ratings, persistent inflation and an unpopular war with Iran, all of which give Democrats an opening despite their own unpopularity.

Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, plan to use the convention to frame the election as a "contrast" against a Democratic Party they say has shifted towards socialism, pointing to recent primary wins by left-wing candidates as evidence. Democrats, led by DNC Chair Ken Martin, are confident of retaking power, while RNC Chair Joe Gruters insists Republicans can "defy history" and hold their majorities. Polling cited in the article shows three in four voters report financial hardship from inflation and 54% expect the economy to worsen, underscoring the economic headwinds facing the incumbent party.