(TheRedWire.com) – According to an ABC News report, a close source has disclosed that former Vice President Mike Pence declined an invitation to the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Pence, who is currently considering whether he wants to join the 2024 presidential run, comes at a time when many other Republicans are choosing to not appear during the event. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who previously gave a speech during the event, now has two events scheduled in Texas as CPAC gets underway in Maryland.
A CPAC spokesperson has said that neither Pence nor DeSantis are currently scheduled to join in the event. Megan Powers, a spokesperson for CPAC also pointed out that this is a missed opportunity for candidates considering a presidential run, as they will lose the chance to speak to “the thousands of grassroots activists at CPAC this year.” She added that those attending will still “get to hear from every announced Presidential candidate and over 100 premiere speakers, including over 30 elected officials.”
Pence did not attend the CPAC event in 2022 and also declined a previous invitation in 2021. These decisions come at a time when the chairman of CPAC is facing a sexual assault scandal.
Earlier this year, a staffer for one-time Senate candidate Herschel Walker alleged that the chairman of CPAC, Matt Schlapp had “groped” and “fondled” his crotch. The staffer also launched a lawsuit against Schlapp and his wife in which he is seeking $9.4 million for sexual battery and defamation.
Schlapp’s attorney previously claimed that the complaint was “false” and that Schlapps was examining his legal options.
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