Norman is a graduate student at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
Every year, Republicans gather to hear their party elites speak at the Conservative Political Action Convention, the oldest conservative grassroots organization. Better known as CPAC, the February gathering mostly featured former President Donald Trump’s supporters and political allies.
However, Republicans who oppose the Trump-led MAGA movement met at the same time less than 10 miles away.
“Our main goal as a group is to just really bring these voters together,” said Principles First founder Heath Mayo, who created the organization to preserve center-right ideas within the Republican Party. “These frustrated Republicans, and maybe swing state independents, who really increasingly feel politically homeless.”
The third annual two-day conference attracted Republicans who are willing to vote against Trump and hosted speakers who have taken a stance against the former president.
With Trump expected to clinch the nomination this week, it was unclear where the center-right movement would go from here, but that did not stop them from gathering and vowing to vote for anyone besides Trump.
Listen to our on-the-ground reporting:
