Headlining a first of its kind midterm Republican convention in Dallas this week, Trump is bringing his national donor network and influence directly to the heart of Texas, particularly for Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign. 

The event feeds into a larger effort to maintain Republican control of the House and Senate while energizing the GOP base. 

But the selection of Texas to host this event is notable. For generations, Texas stood on its own as a Republican stronghold. The effort Washington is putting into Texas this midterm cycle, however, raises questions about the durability of that hold. 

“Most midterms treat Texas for granted politically. It’s often a stop on the fundraising tour, but not much more,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, political science professor at University of Houston. And yet, “in a way, this is a nod to the fact that Paxton is running behind, so this is a moment that he can use to be able to catch up.” 

All eyes on Paxton 

All eyes will be on Paxton at the convention as he’s fighting a competitive race for U.S. senate against Democratic rival James Talarico. 

So far, Talarico’s fundraising has outpaced Paxton by a substantial margin, and recent polling shows Talarico ahead by 3 points, according to a University of Texas Politics Project poll. 

But Paxton may not be cash-strapped for long. Trump made his first very midterm investment through his super PAC, MAGA INC., last weekend, spending $10 million on television and digital advertisements that support Paxton’s campaign.

Trump will also be bringing along his hefty donor network to the convention this week in an effort to shore up funding for Paxton and other vulnerable Texas seats. 

The convention is a “rally and a rescue mission,” Rottinghaus explained. Not only are midterms generally difficult for any sitting president’s party, but also in light of world events like the war with Iran and soaring gas and grocery prices, “Republicans are anxious to make sure they can reclaim the narrative in the midterms,” on a platform like prime time television.

The Trump Effect

Political experts also speculate that Trump’s focus on Texas feeds into an effort to keep himself at the center of the party as he enters the final stretch of his presidency.

“The president doesn’t want to go quietly into retirement,” Rottinghaus said. “He wants to go charging through the last part of his term.” 

But putting Trump front and center can carry a risk. A recent Focaldata/Financial Times poll shows 32 percent of likely voters approved of Trump’s performance.

While Trump can be successful at mobilizing his base, his polarizing presence can also energize Democrats to get out to the polls while also alienating undecided, suburban voters.  

That makes Dallas a strategic setting for the convention, according to Rottinghaus.

“Dallas is more than just a city. It’s also about the suburbs. Republicans don’t need to win urban areas, but they do need to prevent further erosion amongst suburban voters throughout North Texas and every suburb, especially in the Lone Star State, so I think that’s their kind of nod to the fact that they’re worried.”

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This article originally published at Why is Trump so obsessed with Texas right now?.