<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) will not deliver a speech at the first-ever midterm convention in Texas this week, despite being a prominent figure in the Republican Party. The Republican National Committee has announced the full list of keynote speakers for the convention, and Thune is absent from the lineup but is expected to attend the event in Dallas.</p>
<p>The convention is set to take place less than 60 days before the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine the Republican Party's control over Congress. Thune chose not to speak in order to allow candidates and other members who do not often have a national platform the opportunity to address the convention, according to NewsNation White House correspondent Kellie Meyer.</p>
<p>Instead of speaking, Thune will attend a fundraiser for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate against Democratic nominee James Talarico. Thune initially supported incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) in his primary bid against Paxton but later endorsed Paxton.</p>
<p>Paxton is among the speakers scheduled to headline the two-day midterm convention, which will run from Wednesday to Thursday. Other speakers include House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY), and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC).</p>
<p>Former President Donald Trump is also set to speak, delivering the keynote address on the first night and the closing speech on the second night. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to open the second night with his keynote address.</p>
<p>Despite some disagreements between Thune and the White House, Vance stated that the relationship between the president and Thune is “very good.” Trump has not endorsed Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over the SAVE America Act and the filibuster. Vance mentioned that it was not his place to offer an endorsement either.</p>
<p>Thune is reportedly concerned about the potential loss of Senate control if Democrats gain enough seats in the upcoming elections. He expressed this concern while publicly backing Paxton at the fundraiser.</p>
<p>“I worry about that, for sure,” Thune told South Dakota outlet Keloland News last week. “I’m a realist, and I just think you — I don’t ever try and sugarcoat things. I think it’s a competitive environment right now. I think we got the highest-quality candidates.”</p>