Republican Midterm Convention Draws Fewer Than Half of Competitive Race Candidates

According to CNBC, the Republican midterm convention opened Wednesday in Dallas, Texas, with 19 of the 45 candidates in the most competitive House and Senate races scheduled to speak at the two-day event. The convention is intended to boost GOP candidates ahead of the November election, but fewer than half of the candidates in those races are due to appear. Among those scheduled to speak before President Donald Trump's keynote addresses are GOP Senate candidates Michael Whatley of North Carolina and Ken Paxton of Texas, along with Sen. John Husted of Ohio and Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia. On Thursday, the lineup includes Reps. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler of New York, as well as challengers Derek Merrin in Ohio and Eric Flores in Texas. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rates those races as toss-ups, and Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, is also on the agenda. Top Republican congressional leaders, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, are also set to speak Wednesday.