Party leadership has been critical of the so-called establishment and its traditional donors—while embracing election conspiracy theories and other controversies.
Conservative political consultant Dennis Lennox says that hurts the Mackinac conference.
“What’s happening on the island this weekend is nothing more than a bunch of snake oil salesman grifting off of people who don’t know better.”
But Republican Representative Steve Carra says this weekend is an opportunity to get everyone on the same… conservative page.
“I think it helps give us an opportunity to sharpen our tools to be better equipped to make the best decisions moving forward for the Republican Party.”
The conference has previously attracted a range of presidential candidates and other big names.