Most Republican candidates to skip Trump's 'Trump-a-palooza' midterm convention

Republicans are steering clear of the upcoming GOP convention for fear that Donald Trump's rhetoric could hurt their chances in November.

A Politico survey of more than 70 Republican candidates and party members found that most were not planning to attend the two-day event, which begins September 9. Others were still debating whether to attend, and dozens more refused to disclose their plans.

An Unprecedented Event

The Dallas-based convention will be the first GOP midterm convention in American history. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to deliver speeches to the conservative assembly. The conference appears to have been created out of an eleventh-hour necessity rather than a nationalistic groundswell, aiming to give Republicans a boost ahead of a contentious midterm cycle. However, many candidates feel that showing face at the event could only damage their odds.

Reasons for Staying Away

Some 45 Republicans told Politico they would not attend due to obligations—such as fundraisers, weddings, or college tours—that were planned before the convention was announced in June.

Another group of conservatives planned to avoid the event, dubbed "Trump-a-palooza," to sidestep being held accountable for the president's inflammatory rhetoric.

"I just felt I'd be more useful in my district," Representative Tom Barrett told Politico. "I travel a lot for this job and if I can be back home and see my family and do the job back home as well, then that's sort of what I lean toward doing."

Barrett is in a tough battle against progressive William Lawrence for Michigan's pivotal 7th district. When asked if Trump's comments could make that race harder, Barrett said: "I can't control what the president's going to say at the convention, but I can control where I'm at, what I'm doing."

Another House Republican, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Politico the convention is a "waste of time" and that the event planning was a "mess."

"You shouldn't be having to rally your base at this point," the member said. "You should be trying to convince independents. Independents are not attending nor watching the midterm convention."

High Costs and Corporate Backing

Most major party conventions center on a specific item of business, such as formally nominating a presidential candidate. This event offers no such agenda. Instead, it has been billed as a big Republican party—and ticket prices reflect that.

The two-day convention requires House members to pay a minimum of $25,000 to enter with a guest. Better packages are priced closer to $100,000. The conference is also backed by corporate sponsors, with proceeds going to a nonprofit that does not have to disclose its donors.

Read more: First-Ever Republican Midterm Convention Turning Into "Shit Show"