Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)

Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)
source
Name	Conservative Political Action Conference
Other names	CPAC
Formation	1974
Headquarters	National Harbor, Maryland
Leader title	Chairman
Leader name	Matt Schlapp
Parent organization	American Conservative Union

Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is an annual political conference held by the American Conservative Union that gathers activists, elected officials, commentators, donors, and organizations from across the United States and allied movements. Originally founded in 1974, the event has attracted speakers and attendees from institutions such as the Republican Party, Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, Federalist Society, and international partners including UK Conservative Party, International Democrat Union, and Liberal Democratic Party (Japan). CPAC functions as a forum for policy debates, campaign networking, and media events featuring figures like Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, and Ted Cruz.

History

The conference was founded by Anthony J. Blankley associates of the American Conservative Union in 1974 amid the rise of the New Right and the post‑Watergate landscape that included actors such as Barry Goldwater, William F. Buckley Jr., Phyllis Schlafly, Pat Buchanan, and Richard Viguerie. During the 1980s CPAC featured recurrent participants from the Reagan Revolution, including Ronald Reagan speeches and sessions with representatives from the National Rifle Association, Christian Coalition, Moral Majority, and Young America's Foundation. The 1990s and 2000s saw involvement by figures connected to Contract with America, Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, and think tanks such as the Cato Institute and Manhattan Institute. In the 2010s CPAC expanded to include international conferences with delegations from Netherlands People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, Likud, and Polish Law and Justice Party, and hosted prominent personalities such as Sarah Palin, Ben Shapiro, Ann Coulter, and Glenn Beck. The 2020s era has been marked by high‑profile appearances from Donald Trump, controversies involving Matt Schlapp, and organizational shifts linked to intra‑party debates between Establishment Republicans and Trumpism advocates.

Organization and Structure

CPAC is organized by the American Conservative Union with leadership roles including a chairman, board members, and event staff who coordinate programming, sponsorship, and security. Partner organizations commonly represented at CPAC include the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, Family Research Council, National Rifle Association, Turning Point USA, and Young America's Foundation. The conference typically features panels, keynote addresses, award ceremonies, and exhibit halls where groups such as Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, and state parties like the Texas Republican Party and Florida Republican Party maintain presence. Media partners and broadcasters such as Fox News, Newsmax, One America News Network, and Bloomberg provide coverage while trade unions and corporate sponsors have included entities tied to lobbying and political action committees such as American Conservative Union PAC and state‑level committees.

Annual Conferences and Notable Events

CPAC’s annual schedule includes plenary sessions, breakout panels, straw polls, and award presentations like the CPAC honors (awarded by the ACU). Notable historical highlights include appearances by Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and 1980s, the 1999 speeches tied to George W. Bush's policy agenda, and the 2011 prominence of Tea Party activists including Rand Paul and Marco Rubio. The 2013 conference featured debates involving Mitt Romney allies and critics, while the 2016 and 2017 conferences became focal points for post‑election realignment with speakers from the Trump campaign such as Sean Spicer and Kellyanne Conway. International CPAC events have been held in locations like Prague, Tokyo, and Budapest with participation by figures from Viktor Orbán’s network and the European Conservatives and Reformists. CPAC has hosted straw polls that boosted politicians including Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Ben Carson, and Ted Cruz in various cycles.

Political Influence and Impact

CPAC functions as a barometer for conservative activism and a networking hub linking elected officials, think tanks, and activist groups. The conference has shaped policy discourse related to issues advocated by organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, American Enterprise Institute, and Manhattan Institute, and offered platforms that elevated leaders including Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump. Its straw polls and endorsements have influenced primary narratives, fundraising by entities like the Republican National Committee and Senate Leadership Fund, and candidate visibility within coalitions such as the Freedom Caucus and state party apparatuses. CPAC sessions have also served as a launchpad for media careers for personalities associated with Fox News, Newsmax, and talk radio hosts from the Institute for Humane Studies network.

Controversies and Criticism

CPAC has faced controversies related to invited speakers, political alignment, and organizational decisions. Criticism has arisen from civil rights organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League over platforming individuals linked to alt-right networks and figures associated with white nationalism; these critiques involved disputes with participants such as Milo Yiannopoulos and Richard Spencer in past years. Internal disputes within the Republican Party—including clashes between Establishment Republicans and Trumpism adherents—have surfaced at CPAC panels featuring Mitt Romney, Liz Cheney, and Kevin McCarthy. Legal and ethical scrutiny has touched on leadership figures including Matt Schlapp and alleged coordination with political entities; coverage by outlets like The New York Times and Washington Post amplified debate. International CPAC events engaging leaders connected to Viktor Orbán and other illiberal conservatives prompted criticism from European Union officials and human rights advocates.

Attendance and Demographics

Attendees typically include elected officials, party activists, donors, students, and media from groups such as the Republican National Committee, Liberty University, Young Americans for Liberty, and Turning Point USA. Historic turnout has ranged from several thousand to over ten thousand participants, with demographics skewing toward activists from battleground states like Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and institutional representatives from think tanks including the Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute. Polling and surveys at CPAC events have often reflected preferences seen in primary electorates, with straw poll winners historically boosting figures such as Ron Paul, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump.

Category:Political conferences Category:Conservatism in the United States