Top presidential hopefuls are set to gather for at least one of two major GOP conferences this week, marking an intraparty divide as Republicans approach what is expected to be a contentious nomination process.
Former President Donald Trump is set to headline the 2023 CPAC, which typically attracts one of the year’s largest gatherings of conservative activists and Republican firebrands. Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) — who is considered to be Trump’s top challenger in the GOP primary, should he choose to run — is expected to attend the prominent Club for Growth’s private donor retreat in Palm Beach.
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The two events are slated to happen at the same time, running from Thursday to Saturday, as the groups struggle for the party’s attention. There’s also little overlap between attendees and speakers, posing a proxy battle as top Republicans are faced with a choice as to which event to attend.
GOP presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy are the only two who have committed to both events, according to Politico. Haley’s presence at CPAC will mark the first time the former United Nations ambassador will pitch her candidacy at the same event as Trump, setting the stage for the pair to give dueling addresses despite once working together under the same administration.
Haley will also appear at the Club for Growth’s annual donor retreat, during which the group introduces possible candidates to big party donors ahead of the primary cycle. Trump, however, was not invited to attend.
David McIntosh, president of the group, told reporters last month that the decision to leave Trump off the list wasn’t a personal slight, but he noted that Republican chances to win back the White House would be diminished with the former president at the top of the ticket.
Several other GOP contenders are expected to attend Club for Growth’s event, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH), according to Politico. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rick Scott (R-FL) are also set to attend, but neither senator has indicated whether they plan to launch a White House bid.
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Meanwhile, a slate of conservative firebrands is scheduled to attend CPAC, which has more closely aligned itself with Trump in recent years — marking a break from the Club for Growth, which has sought to distance itself from the former president to back DeSantis instead.
DeSantis has not yet announced a presidential bid, but the Florida governor is widely considered to be a top contender for the presidency. So far, only three Republicans have launched their White House campaigns — Trump, Haley, and Ramaswamy — but the field is expected to grow increasingly crowded.
