Live updates: Democrat Fetterman makes surprise appearance at GOP convention

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise appearance at the convention via video on Wednesday to introduce his fellow Pennsylvanian Sen. Dave McCormick and to distance himself from socialism in his party.

"Yes, I'm Sen. John Fetterman, Pennsylvania. Yes I'm a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I'm a common sense Democrat. I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life" Fetterman said in what appeared to be a pre-recorded message.

Fetterman's appearance at a GOP event of this nature is highly atypical, but he notably made no announcement of any intention to change his party affiliation. Instead, he used his brief video, which features him standing in front of a U.S. Steel mill, to tout his willingness to collaborate with Trump and McCormick to "defend the steel way of life right here in the Steel Valley."

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

The Republican nominee for Senate in North Carolina and former RNC Chair Michael Whatley used his time on the convention stage to praise Republican tax cuts and slam "radical Democrats" for high costs.

"With the November election just 55 days away, let's talk about what Republicans have accomplished for working families, and what radical Democrats have stood against," Whatley said.

"Under President Trump's leadership, Republicans passed the 'Working Families Tax Cuts' and put thousands of dollars back into the hands of families and seniors. My opponent, Roy Cooper, opposed this bill," Whatley said, drawing boos from the crowd.

Whatley is locked in a competitive race against former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper as Democrats view the battleground Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis as one of their best pickup opportunities this year.

-ABC News' Halle Troadec

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Down the road from the GOP midterm convention in Dallas, Mike Njenga's trucking company is struggling. His diesel fuel expenses have skyrocketed because of the Iran war -- forcing him to take trucks off the road and pass price hikes to customers.

Njenga voted for Trump and has been happy to back Republicans for years. But he told ABC News' Rachel Scott he is strongly considering voting for Democrat James Talarico for Senate in November.

"Whether he's conservative, whether you're liberal, at this point, all I care [about] is economics," he said. "I want to make sure things I can survive in business. I want to make sure I'm going to be able to feed my kids."

Njenga's situation underscores the challenge Republicans face as they try to excite their base heading into the fall, and how Trump's handling of the economy and Iran war loom over all other issues.

Asked how he thinks Trump is handling the economy, Njenga replied, "Just looking at what is going on right now in the world and between the tariffs and the war in Iran, it's not very encouraging. I am disappointed."

-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel

People have dubbed the midterm convention the "Trumpapalooza" as the president is expected to be at the center of the celebration.

So far, it looks like it -- photos of Trump line the walls at the American Airlines Center.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie