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President Donald Trump arrives Monday to speak at a lunch in the White House Rose Garden.<\/p>\n
Julia Demaree Nikhinson\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON \u2013 A team of prominent business and civic leaders will lead fundraising and planning as Dallas moves to host the\u00a0first Republican midterm convention<\/a>, one of the city’s biggest political events in decades.<\/p>\n The Dallas 2026 Host Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization formed to welcome visitors, support local businesses<\/a>, offset costs for local governments and promote the region.<\/p>\n The announcement marks the most significant step since President Donald Trump<\/a> picked Dallas for the Sept. 9-10 convention<\/a> at the American Airlines Center. It is expected to draw thousands of Republican delegates, donors, elected officials and activists ahead of the November elections.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In a news release Wednesday, the committee named its co-chairs: former Republican National Committee finance chairman and Dallas developer Ray\u00a0Washburne and his wife, Republican fundraiser Heather Washburne; Dallas entrepreneur and investor Kenny Troutt and his wife, philanthropist Lisa\u00a0Troutt; and former Trump administration official Trent Morse.<\/p>\n Former\u00a0RNC Chairman Reince Priebus will act as a senior adviser as the group leads efforts to raise money for the Host Committee.<\/p>\n “Our city has a long tradition of hosting major events, and we look forward to welcoming guests while highlighting the businesses, people, and hospitality that make Dallas such a special place,\u201d said Ray Washburne, chairman of Sunoco and vice chairman of Dallas-based family investment company Gillon Capital.<\/p>\n The co-chairs also said the convention will showcase Dallas<\/a> to the nation while boosting local businesses.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n “The midterm convention is about much more than two days of meetings,\u201d Lisa Troutt said in the release. \u201cIt is an opportunity to support our local economy, strengthen our community’s reputation as a premier destination for major events and introduce millions of people to everything Dallas and Texas have to offer.”<\/p>\n Morse worked on the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and served in various roles during the first Trump administration.<\/p>\n Party officials have described the gathering as \u201cTrumpapalooza,\u201d saying it is intended to rally Republicans and build enthusiasm ahead of the November elections.<\/p>\n Democrats, meanwhile, have dismissed it as a political \u201ccircus\u201d meant to distract voters from what they describe as the GOP’s lack of concern for affordability<\/a> and working families.<\/p>\n Fundraising focus<\/p>\n Although Trump and other Republicans have described the gathering as a \u201cconvention,\u201d Texas GOP Chair D\u2019rinda Randall<\/a> said earlier this week it will function more as a fundraiser.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a convention rally,\u201d Randall said. \u201cBut it\u2019s not your typical convention. There is no party business that will be done.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n