Paxton Confirms September 2026 RNC Midterm Convention in Dallas

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated during a tele-town hall that the Republican National Committee will hold its first midterm convention in Dallas in September 2026. The gathering would mark a departure from the RNC's traditional quadrennial presidential nominating events and comes after the committee amended its bylaws in January 2026 to permit such a meeting.

Paxton's Tele-Town Hall Remarks Set Timeline

Paxton told listeners the Dallas event would feature former President Donald Trump as a speaker and serve to energize Republican voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. His comments provided the clearest public signal yet on the date and location, even as the RNC itself has not issued an official announcement.

The remarks align with earlier reporting that placed the convention in September. Paxton framed the gathering as an opportunity to highlight Texas Republicans and national candidates in a key battleground state.

Bylaw Change and Site Inspection Precede Event

The RNC altered its rules in January 2026 specifically to authorize a midterm convention. Representatives from the committee toured the American Airlines Center in Dallas in late February 2026 as one potential venue.

Those steps show concrete preparation even without a formal public rollout. The American Airlines Center offers the large indoor capacity needed for a national party event drawing thousands of delegates, donors, and media.

Event Aims to Rally Base and Spotlight Candidates

Organizers intend the convention to mobilize the GOP base, showcase Trump, and elevate Republican candidates running in competitive 2026 races. The timing in September positions the event roughly 14 months before the November 2026 general election.

Texas stands to gain visibility as host, with state officials and the Dallas business community positioned to benefit from the influx of visitors and national attention. The format differs from standard RNC winter meetings by emphasizing electoral preparation over internal party business alone.

Official Announcement Still Pending

As of June 16, 2026, the RNC had not confirmed the convention or its location in an official release. Planning continues through internal channels while public details remain limited to statements such as Paxton's.

The next milestone is an expected formal announcement from RNC leadership, likely followed by delegate selection and programming details. The September 2026 date gives the committee roughly three months from mid-June to finalize logistics.

Key Milestones in Convention Planning

These dates illustrate a deliberate sequence from rule changes to venue scouting to public confirmation via state officials. The table draws from Texas Tribune reporting and CBS News coverage of the bylaw amendment and site visit.