The Republican National Committee (RNC) has approved plans for a historic “midterm convention” ahead of this year’s congressional elections. The rule change comes as President Donald Trump has vowed to be actively involved on the campaign trail, especially in swing districts and tight congressional races.
RNC members approved the rule change during the committee’s winter meeting in California. The RNC unanimously amended its bylaws, specifically Rule 13, to allow Chairman Joe Gruters to convene a “special ceremonial convention” outside of presidential election cycles.
Previously, party rules limited conventions to every four years for nominating presidential candidates. The new provision requires at least 60 days’ notice for the event, which is expected to largely mirror presidential conventions with a focus on rallies, speeches and addresses from candidates, as well as senior GOP leaders and President Trump.
Locations like Las Vegas or Dallas are under consideration for an event location, according to a report from Politico. It will likely take place in late summer or the fall in order to build momentum for the November elections.
Current plans deviate sharply from typical years, where national conventions are reserved for presidential cycles to formalize nominations and unify the party. The GOP has never held a midterm convention in modern history, though Democrats experimented with them in the 1970s.
In a statement to Fox News, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters “highlighted that the RNC’s winter meeting “shows how completely united Republicans are behind President Trump and our efforts to win the midterms.”
“The RNC has been aggressively focused on expanding our war chest, turning out voters and protecting the ballot in this fall’s elections. We’re building the operation needed to protect our majorities and give President Trump a full four-year term with a Republican Congress,” he added.
Gruters added that President Donald Trump first floated the idea in September of last year to “show the great things we have done” since his election victory in 2024. He is expected to headline the event in an effort to turn out low-propensity voters who have historically only voted with Trump on the ballot.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been vocal about Trump’s midterm role, stating he will “campaign like it’s 2024 again” to preserve Republican majorities. Wiles further confirmed that Trump has planned weekly cross-country travel for rallies and campaign events, with cabinet officials joining to tout affordability and energy policies.
To date, Trump has held a handful of rallies for the midterms. His “affordability tour” kicked off in December 2025 with stops in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He most recently traveled to Iowa, where he hosted a rally and mingled with supporters at a restaurant in Clive.
