Democrats Plan to Counter Republicans’ Dallas Convention Next Week, Jeffries Says

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on Sept. 3 that Democrats will mount their own programming against the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention, which opens next week in Dallas.

Asked at his weekly press conference what Democrats are planning as Republicans gather Sept. 9–10, Jeffries said there would be “robust engagement” run in part out of Texas, joined by Democrats from both chambers of Congress and from statehouses.

“I expect that there’s going to be robust engagement by Democrats, in part led by the Texas Democratic Party, along with participation from House Democrats, Senate Democrats, as well as Democratic governors from different parts of the country,” Jeffries said.

He did not say what form the events would take, where they would be held, or which governors and congressional members would take part.

Jeffries said the timing of the Republican gathering was itself an argument for Democrats.

“The fact that these Republicans are planning a celebration in the middle of an economic crisis where everyday Americans are drowning because of this high cost of living is extraordinary,” Jeffries said. “This is an extraordinary decision in the middle of a very challenging economy, an ongoing war of choice in the Middle East, and the failure for Republicans to solve a single problem on behalf of the American people that Donald Trump and Republicans have decided to spend several days celebrating during a so-called midterm convention with their billionaire donors.”

The Republican National Committee has described the Dallas convention as a two-day event at the American Airlines Center built around the party’s record in the second Trump term and its slate of candidates for November.

On its convention website, the RNC says the gathering will “celebrate the accomplishments of President Donald J. Trump, showcase the strength of the Republican Party and its slate of candidates, and unite Americans around a bold vision for the future.”

In an Aug. 25 release announcing its programming, the RNC said the convention will feature 109 items and speakers across the two days, with Vice President JD Vance headlining the first night and Trump closing the second. 

“Over two action-packed days, we will take Americans through the defining issues of our Party’s agenda and what is at stake in November,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in the release. “Each hour will have its own theme, its own message, and its own voices, building toward President Donald Trump’s vision for the next chapter of American greatness. This will be unlike any political convention America has seen before.”

Trump announced the convention on June 30 on Truth Social, calling it a “rally like none other!” and saying it would mark what he calls the Great American Comeback. Party conventions are typically held only in presidential election years, when delegates gather to adopt a platform and formally nominate a ticket. The RNC amended its rules at its January winter meeting to allow a convention outside a presidential year.

The Democratic National Committee and Texas Democratic Party did not respond to requests for more information from The Epoch Times before publication. 

Jeffries was further asked about Trump’s plans to direct money and tele-town halls into roughly 35 key races, and also about spending by Elon Musk. He said House Democrats would not be outgunned, and that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, chaired by Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), had outraised its Republican counterpart both year-to-date and cycle-to-date.

“We’re going to have the resources necessary in order to reelect our frontline members and flip more than enough seats to take back control of the House of Representatives,” Jeffries said. “We’re in the minority and we’ve outraised our Republican colleagues who have a president engaging in perhaps the largest pay-to-play scheme in the history of the country. And by the way, our super PAC has raised a record amount of resources.”

At the national committee level, the picture looks different. The RNC reported $125.5 million in cash on hand and no debt at the end of May, according to its monthly filing with the Federal Election Commission. The Democratic National Committee reported $14.9 million in cash and $18.3 million in debt over the same period.

Jeffries closed the press conference by returning to the party’s November message, saying that House Democrats would “fight hard for an affordable America.”

Jill McLaughlin contributed to this report.