J D Vance steals spotlight as Republicans rally voters at Dallas convention

J D Vance took centre stage on the final night of the Republican convention in Dallas as delegates chanted his name. The moment boosted talk of a post-Trump future even as the party focused on holding Congress in November.

In Short

• Delegates loudly chanted for the vice president, fuelling succession speculation
• Republicans sought to counter economic anxiety and concerns over Iran conflict
• Trump proposed USD 5,000 payments, drawing criticism over massive fiscal cost

US Vice President J D Vance took the primetime slot on Thursday on the final night of the Republicans' midterm convention in Dallas, as the party tried to energise voters ahead of November and protect its House and Senate majorities. The event also underlined questions about the party's future beyond President Donald Trump, with Vance drawing loud support from delegates.

Although Vance has not said whether he will run for the White House and Trump has not named an heir, the crowd repeatedly chanted "JD! JD!" when the vice president stepped on stage. "It is pretty cool to hear a crowd that is this fired up chant your name, so go ahead and do it again," Vance said, and the audience obliged.

For now, Republicans are focused on avoiding the losses that often hit the party in power during midterm elections. They are trying to lift enthusiasm for congressional candidates while dealing with voter concerns over the economy and the war with Iran. Even as many Republicans stayed away from the gathering at the American Airlines Center, others said backing Trump remained their best chance.

"We've got a deep bench," said Bruce Johnston, 62, who drove 29 hours with his son from Delaware to attend the convention. "I mean you've got a lot of good candidates. I'd pick any of those for the primary. And we'll get a good one." His son, Anthony, 33, said he believed Vance was being prepared as Trump's successor. "No one's Trump," he said. "But I like him a lot."

Inside the hall, speakers and videos praised the president, including one suggesting that "God made Trump" for this moment. Republicans spent two nights attacking Democrats as extremists, and Trump on Wednesday promised USD 5,000 to every American adult if his party wins. The proposal could cost more than USD 1 trillion and drew criticism from budget experts and some Republicans. "The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president," Trump said in a lengthy primetime speech, before urging voters: "Pretend I'm on the ballot."

House Democrats, in Texas for a second day of counter-programming, said the convention showed a president out of touch with voters. "As Donald Trump and J D Vance party away for two days, the average American family can't afford the groceries," said Representative Robert Garcia. "Donald Trump does not care about the average American family or about affordability." Outside, protesters marched through the streets chanting, "say it loud, say it clear, Donald Trump's not welcome here", but police stopped them from getting too close to the venue.

Vance's speech was also watched for any sign of his political plans for 2028. According to one attendee, chants of "JD, JD, JD" also broke out when he met delegates from battleground states Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, along with his home state of Ohio. The vice president, who is also the Republican National Committee's finance chair, raised USD 2 million for the party at a Dallas fundraiser earlier in the day, according to a person familiar with the event who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss it publicly.

The second night also featured some of the Republicans seen as most vulnerable in Congress, along with candidates trying to unseat Democrats in difficult races, and another potential presidential hopeful, Texas Senator Ted Cruz. "We must stand and defeat the communists," Cruz said to cheers. "We must stay America." On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the convention also paused for a solemn remembrance and screened a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA co-founder who was assassinated a year ago.

At one point, Representative Mike Lawler, who is seeking re-election in New York, appeared on stage with the family of Sheridan Gorman, who presented a "buddy bench" for members of Congress to sit together. Gorman was fatally shot in Chicago, and officials have charged a man they say was staying illegally in the country.

The convention's final night combined the Republicans' immediate push to hold Congress in November with signs of a possible post-Trump contest, as Vance took centre stage, Trump remained the party's main draw, and leaders tried to rally supporters around the party's message.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends