Arizona is often front-and-center of any Republican event. But the state had a mostly-muted presence at this year’s GOP Midterm convention, highlighted by huge speeches from President Trump, Vice President Vance, and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

GOP Gubernatorial nominee Andy Biggs skipped the convention, as did CD6 Rep. Juan Ciscomani, who debated his Democrat opponent last night. The only major Arizona Republican to speak was former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, who portrayed his CD1 opponent, Amish Shah, as a “socialist” who wants to “abolish prisons, abolish borders, abolish the U.S. Senate.” Shah’s campaign called the characterization “demonstrably false,” and posted a photo of Shah working in the ER while Feely was speaking in Dallas.

Trump told attendees to “pretend I’m on the ballot.” Democrats don’t need to pretend. Trump is always on the ballot, always top of mind. After the President proposed a $5000 “Trump dividend” to American adults if a Red Wave sweeps the House and Senate, outgoing Rep. David Schweikert told Reuters he would throw “everything of my heart and soul” into stopping it, arguing it would fuel inflation, raise interest rates and accelerate the federal debt problem.

Phoenix had a strong showing on the anniversary of the Charlie Kirk assassination. The convention held a formal Kirk tribute, the crowd chanted “Charlie,” Trump recognized Erika Kirk, and she received a standing ovation.

In an interview with The New York Post from the convention, House GOP Majority Whip Tom Emmer said Republicans’ path to hanging onto their tiny House majority runs through select districts in Arizona, Maine and Washington, among other places. The election is going to be “very close,” he said. Arizona’s CD1 is plainly part of that battlefield. In his convention speech, Feely warned that a Democratic victory would “fundamentally change our very republic.” Shah, meanwhile, said Feely was in Dallas pledging “undying loyalty to his golf buddy, Donald Trump.”

Under eight weeks to go.