Majority of GOP senators to attend Trump convention

A majority of Senate Republicans will be attending the party’s national convention in Cleveland this month, despite the reservations that many of them have about Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpFive challenges awaiting Mattis' successor Meet Trump's pick to take over the Joint Chiefs of Staff Retiring GOP lawmaker blasts Trump's threat to close border as 'angry eighth-grader’s tweet' MORE.

A survey by The Hill found that 32 Senate Republicans plan to attend the convention in Cleveland later this month, while 18 will skip it. Four Republican senators said they had not yet decided.

Only two senators facing competitive races in the fall will attend: Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanIs Congress really that far behind on tech policy? No. Sens. Sanders and Feinstein oppose Israel anti-boycott provision John Kasich pitches soon to be shuttered Ohio GM plant to Elon Musk: ‘Call me’ MORE (Ohio) and Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrThe Mueller investigation: What to watch for in 2019 Senators' last-minute demands may delay funding bill On The Money: Fed raises rates, defying Trump | GOP moving stopgap to prevent shutdown | Conservatives blast Trump over deal | Consumer bureau halts name change | Treasury hits Russians with new sanctions MORE (N.C.).

Portman will spend most of his time away from the main show, focusing on campaign events such as building a Habitat for Humanity home for a family in need and kayaking on the Cuyahoga River to help war veterans.

Burr said he would be at the convention only briefly.

Two vulnerable GOP incumbents, Sens. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonNauert faces questions about qualifications at UN Trump’s week of tumult shakes many in GOP Mattis departure leaves Trump Cabinet increasingly thin MORE (Wis.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.), told The Hill in April that they anticipated going to the convention. In the past week they said their plans had changed.   

Trump’s stock in the Senate took a hit a month ago when he criticized an Indiana-born federal judge as unfit to preside over a lawsuit against Trump University because of his Mexican heritage.

Republican lawmakers are growing increasingly skeptical about Trump’s ability to win, especially after his latest campaign finance report revealed he had only $1.3 million cash on hand.

But the convention offers lawmakers a valuable chance to meet with donors and activists who can be helpful in the future. Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzO'Rourke rips Trump's border wall in video: 'A symbol of division' O'Rourke's chances against Trump are ‘overstated,’ says progressive columnist Bloomberg ready to spend at least 0M if he runs for White House in 2020 MORE (Texas), who could run for president again in four years, will be in Cleveland to thank supporters and has been given a speaking slot.

The most active participants at the convention include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellNo signs of talks as shutdown moves into second week Dem-led House must lead cleanup of Trump-made mess Trump, Dems dig-in as shutdown heads into second week MORE (Ky.) and Sen. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisSenate GOP: We need clarity from Trump on border demands Senate votes to overturn IRS guidance limiting donor disclosure GOP tensions running high on criminal justice bill MORE (N.C.), who will serve as delegates, and Sen. Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsFor rule of law in U.S., 2019 brings new hope Trump's national security team is constant source of turnover Trump pushes back on report he 'lashed out' at acting attorney general: 'This is a made up story' MORE (Ala.), an early Trump supporter who will chair the Alabama delegation.     

“An awful lot of political activists important in their home states are there. To pass up the convention means missing an opportunity to get connected to people who might be important in the future,” said Steven S. Smith, a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

“There are some risks in going and being associated with a presidential candidate who may still go down in flames,” he said. “You can lay low. You don’t have to look for photo opportunities with Donald Trump.”

Democrats are using Trump, the GOP’s presumptive nominee for president, as their primary attack against Republican candidates.

“Whether or not they’ll be in Cleveland, Republican senators continue to support Trump’s bigoted and divisive candidacy, align with him on many of his out-of-touch policies, and are still holding a Supreme Court seat for him to fill,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesman Sam Lau.