WASHINGTON — Sept. 12, 2026
Republicans just wrapped up a brand-new kind of convention. It happened before this fall's elections, not before a presidential race. That has never happened before in American history.
Party leaders used the event to talk about their plans. They want more voters to support their candidates this November. Millions of Americans will vote for Congress this fall. Those elections will decide who controls the House and Senate. Both parties are already campaigning hard for votes.
WASHINGTON — Sept. 12, 2026
Republicans wrapped up the first-ever midterm convention held by a major U.S. party this week. Traditional conventions typically take place before presidential elections, not midterms. This gathering instead focused on strategy for the November midterm elections. Party leaders used the event to rally supporters and outline priorities. Control of Congress is at stake in this fall's elections.
Midterm elections often serve as a referendum on the sitting president's policies. Both parties are already investing heavily in advertising and voter outreach. Analysts say turnout will likely determine which party controls the House and Senate. Historically, the president's party tends to lose seats in midterm elections.
The new convention format could become a regular tool for both parties going forward. Democrats have not announced whether they will hold a similar event. Voters will get their first major signal of the election's direction in November. All 435 House seats and about a third of Senate seats are on the ballot this fall. State and local offices, including governorships, are also being decided in many parts of the country. The results will shape which party controls the House and Senate for the next two years. That balance of power can affect everything from taxes to national policy debates.
Sources: PBS News Hour, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/september-11-2026-pbs-news-hour-full-episode
Published in Saturday, September 12, 2026 edition.