The Conservative Political Action Conference convention is underway in Grapevine as grassroots activists across the world discuss policy ideas. Participants...
Attendees wait in line to enter the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as the annual gathering of thousands of conservatives from around the country and overseas begins.
GRAPEVINE — Participants from across the world gathered in Grapevine Wednesday for the start of the Conservative Political Action Conference convention, whereFor some, the biggest goal is unifying conservatives ahead of November’s critical midterm elections, while developing a united front in support of President Donald Trump. “Good government matters, and to get good government, you have to bring people from disparate opinions together,” said Texas Land Commissionerduring the first day of the convention. “You have to listen to others, then you really come through with what is a clear path to better serve Texas and our country.”Political Points“I would love to see us a little more unified,” she added. “The movement is strong and we’re doing great things.”Supporters of the war in Iran arrive at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as the annual gathering of thousands of conservatives from around the country and overseas begins. During the convention, conservatives are expected to discuss the conflict in Iran, Trump’s tariff policies and other foreign and domestic issues. For decades, CPAC has blended passionate grassroots conservatives with Republican elected leaders and right-leaning media members. Most of them rally around Trump, who helped advance the organization during his political rise and two terms as president. Convention goers said Wednesday they were drawn to Grapevine out of curiosity — and desire to be part of the conversation. “I find it fascinating to have a front row seat and to see a lot of the people who are involved with legislating our laws and our policies, and hear their perspective on things,” said Gary Leograde, a real estate broker from White Plains, N.Y. “There’s a nice diversity of thought, different perspectives, ways of looking at things.”Leograde, who said he’s a conservative that doesn’t necessarily vote along party lines, said he’s drawn to CPAC because speakers are challenged to back up their views.“You get critiqued on your views in front of a large audience and that’s a very powerful thing,” he said. “We need more communication in this country.” Violet Radpay said she was born in Iran, spent many years in Germany and now lives in Dallas. She said she hoped the CPAC conversation would center on promoting peace. FILE - This photo combination shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, in Dallas and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in Austin, Texas, both on March 3, 2026. “No matter if it’s Iran, Africa, Germany or the United States, we all need to live in freedom,” she said, adding that Trump was a good man.Aiden Fox, president of the College Republican at Ohio University, said his contingent from the school is excited about mingling with like-minded conservatives. “We’re from a very liberal campus and a very liberal community,” he said. “To see that there are other people out there who think what they think — it’s good for the students to get a feel for what the rest of the nation is feeling at the moment.”Readers describe the symbolism of rainbow sidewalks, offers ways for ICE to help TSA agents and criticize the government shutting down a major wind energy project.Paxton called Kelly Hancock an “incompetent loser” in a social media post after a letter the comptroller’s office sent to Paxton regarding a Muslim school in the state’s voucher-like program.The Howard University graduate and Chicago native has covered four presidential campaigns and written extensively about local, state and national politics. Before The News, he was a reporter at The Kansas City Star and The Chicago Defender. You can catch Gromer every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on NBC 5's Lone Star Politics.
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