GOP Bets On Trumpapalooza To Defy Midterm History

Authored by Carolina Lumetta via RealClearPolitics,

Texas-based Republican strategist Rebecca Trahan is excited to see the first-ever GOP midterm convention come to Dallas next week. More specifically, she hopes it will bring yet more national attention and dollars to the Senate campaign for state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

"I think [the convention] can be very motivating. I hope that the event does encourage and get people to get out and vote," Trahan told RealClearPolitics. "I hope that it drives a lot of money to the Paxton campaign because they really need it, and I know that Texas really needs Ken Paxton as the next senator considering our options."

Trahan says Paxton's Democratic opponent James Talarico is a more formidable challenger than many Republicans realize. She said the convention is a welcome burst of energy onto the scene but would be better if it were more accessible. The two-day event will not be aired in full on national television networks, and it competes with the beginning of the school year and the start of football season on the two nights of speeches.

"I really applaud the RNC for doing everything that they can to help Texas candidates, and especially to help Ken Paxton, because we need it," Trahan said.

But she's not attending the convention either.

"For me, if I'm going to a fundraiser, I prefer that it be a little bit more private," Trahan said. "I love conventions, but there is so much work to be done just this weekend alone, and block walking and phone banking. So I chose to sta