The event is attended by Republican Party activists, elected officials, and candidates for office.
The 2014 Republican Leadership Conference was held in New Orleans, and featured various speakers such as RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame, Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, businessman and later President Donald Trump, Louisiana Senator David Vitter, Colonel and former Congressman Allen West, former US Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Utah Senator Mike Lee, Texas senator Ted Cruz, businessman and former presidential candidate Herman Cain, former Pennsylvania senator and former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Louisiana Congressman Bill Cassidy, Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, and Texas governor and former presidential candidate Rick Perry.
Texas senator Ted Cruz narrowly won the 2014 straw poll, barely defeating Dr. Ben Carson.
[1] Other speakers at the conference included Governors Bobby Jindal and Haley Barbour, and Barack Obama impersonator Reggie Brown.
[2] Congressman Ron Paul won the straw poll by a large margin, with Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., who was scheduled to speak at the event but cancelled, placing second.