Trump set to headline diminished gathering of conservatives

By JILL COLVIN and MICHELLE L. PRICE
Associated Press

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — The annual Conservative Political Action Conference was once one of the premier gatherings on the GOP campaign calendar. It was a must-stop for serious contenders testing the waters on presidential runs. That’s no longer the case. This year’s event kicks off Wednesday just outside of Washington, but many of the party’s best known likely candidates are skipping. It’s also a time of controversy and questioning over the conference’s place in a movement that remains deeply split over its allegiance to former President Donald Trump. Adding to the turmoil is a lawsuit filed by an unnamed Republican campaign staffer against the chair of the American Conservative Union, the conference organizer.