GOP candidates in competitive House races told a columnist they don't know whether they'll appear at President Donald Trump's midterm convention because of scheduling conflicts.
In a Tuesday column, political commentator Joe Perticone noted a "conveniently timed epidemic of GOP scheduling conflicts" ahead of next week's midterm convention, which Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters has dubbed "Trumpapalooza."
"I've come up with an easy way to determine how concerned House Republicans are about Trump dragging them down in this fall's midterm elections," Perticone wrote. "All you need to do is ask them whether they plan to be seen with him next week."
Perticone spoke with eight different incumbent Republicans running in some of the closest races in the midterms, and none of them confirmed that they planned to attend the event.
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) told Perticone that he has an important debate scheduled against his Democratic opponent during the second night of the convention.
"We're trying to work it all out at this point, but it's conflicting with my--at least right now--only televised debate that we do in Arizona," Ciscomani told Perticone. "So we're gonna have to prioritize the debate if it comes to that."
Rep. French Hill (R-AR) told Perticone that he has "work stuff" that will keep him from Trumpapalooza, even though Congress is out of session.
"I have a place I have to be that day and can't be there," Hill told Perticone. Hill does have "some (very) limited private-sector duties," Perticone noted.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) said she would rather be back home than in Texas to attend Trump's convention, which will be in Dallas. She told Perticone she won't be attending "because I have a district that I have to be in and take care of, so I'll be in my district."
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) told Perticone that she's undecided and has to find someone to watch her kids for the week if she does go. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) told Perticone, "I'm not sure" about attending. "I haven't made any plans as of right now."
Similarly, Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) have said they're not sure or are prioritizing their races.
"Trump's cratering approval ratings appear to have spooked vulnerable House Republicans into staying far from the grand celebration of all things Trump," Perticone wrote.