Republicans put Trump at centre of US midterm campaign in Dallas

The first Republican midterm convention has concluded in Dallas, Texas, with party figures aligning Republican candidates closely with President Donald Trump before November’s elections for the House of Representatives and Senate.

Trump urged Republican voters to act as if he were on the ballot and pledged to give every American adult a US$5,000 “dividend” if Republicans retain control of both congressional chambers. The proposal has not been approved and would require congressional authorisation; its cost, eligibility, funding and timing remain unspecified.

Vice-President JD Vance delivered the second night’s keynote after being displaced from the opening night by Trump. He appealed for party unity, promoted traditional “family values” and praised the administration’s immigration policies, while acknowledging that Republicans may disagree over individual policies.

Senator Ted Cruz and Texas Governor Greg Abbott presented opposition to “Sharia law” as a Republican priority. Cruz said it was inconsistent with the US Constitution, while Abbott pledged that Texas would “fully ban” it. Critics cited by Al Jazeera said Republican lawmakers had misrepresented Sharia and used the issue to stigmatise Islam.

The convention also focused on Democratic candidates in Texas and Michigan. Republican Mike Rogers attacked Michigan candidate Abdul El-Sayed over campaign appearances with commentator Hasan Piker, while Democratic figures highlighted Texas candidates James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa. The supplied reporting does not independently confirm claims about polling in the Texas Senate contest.

Protesters gathered near the American Airlines Center, where the convention was held, and Democrats held a rally at Dallas City Hall. The demonstrations accompanied a convention whose central message was that Trump would remain a defining force in the Republican campaign for control of Congress.