CPAC announces Abbott, HHS leader Kennedy will speak at 2026 conference

The Conservative Political Action Conference announced new speakers Thursday who will appear at the annual Republican gathering near Dallas later this week.

CPAC formally kicked off its four-day conference Wednesday with an International Faith Summit in Grapevine, Texas, but its first day of full official programming was Thursday. The conference will run from through Saturday. 

Conference organizers said the new speakers include Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, who is seeking a fourth term in office, and Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy.

"A lifelong Democrat, Kennedy broke with the party as it moved away from its traditional priorities," CPAC said in a news release. "In his first year, he has driven one of the most consequential shifts in public health policy in modern history. 

"Under his leadership, HHS has eliminated petroleum-based food dyes from the food supply, partnered with USDA to release updated Dietary Guidelines centered on a simple message—eat real food—lowered drug prices [and] pushed medical schools to teach nutrition as the foundation of health," it added.

It was not immediately clear when the three speakers are expected to appear at the conference.  A full list of speakers Thursday can be viewed here.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.