GOP state parties are charging tens of thousands of dollars for special access to the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention, sparking concerns that the high cost of attending could price out the grassroots activists who traditionally knock doors, make phone calls, and turn out voters.RNC Chairman Joe Gruters previously told the Washington Examiner that the “upcoming Midterm Convention will be a Trump-a-palooza that will showcase the strength of the Republican Party and the candidates carrying President Trump’s America First agenda forward.”State parties, however, are using the convention to replenish their coffers ahead of what is expected to be a difficult midterm election for the GOP.
California is offering sponsorship packages ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, according to a fundraising flier shared with the Washington Examiner. The highest tier, “Golden VIP Member,” costs $250,000.Other state parties are rolling out their own premium fundraising packages.
Texas, which is hosting the convention in Dallas from Sept. 9 to 10, is also offering similar premium packages. The Texas GOP is charging $20,000 for “honorary delegate” status, $15,000 for “honorary alternate delegate” status, and $5,000 for “honorary guest” status, a flier showed.According to a social media post from the Denton County Republican Party, tickets to the convention are limited.“No party business or delegate elections will take place,” the post reads. “Instead, this event is designed to celebrate the America First movement while raising resources to help the state Republican Partys across the country to win in November.”One Texas Republican familiar with the planning said the event “seems to me more of a fundraiser than a convention.”“Many people thought it would be a convention like the Texas GOP convention, but with the ticket prices at that amount, it’s mainly a fundraiser,” they continued. “But some leadership believes there will be prices more affordable to the public as we get closer to the event.”
