Pennsylvania Leadership Conference

Pennsylvania Leadership Conference is an annual two-day conference organized by the Pennsylvania Leadership Council of Pennsylvania conservative activists in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[1] Due to coronavirus pandemic, 2020's conference will proceed as a virtual one.[2]

Pennsylvania Leadership Conference
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Inaugurated1989
Most recent2019
Websitehttps://paleadershipconference.org/

History

The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference was founded in 1989 by a group of conservative activists, including Charlie Gerow, Susan Staub, Jim Panyard, Don Eberly, and John Fluharty, seeking to strengthen the conservative "grassroots lobby" in Pennsylvania.[1][3] The first conference attracted 300 attendees and featured speakers including Congressmen Robert Smith Walker and Newt Gingrich and State Representatives Joseph R. Pitts and Howard L. Fargo.[3] The Philadelphia Inquirer described it as an "anti-left nirvana."[3] The conference was scheduled during the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania meeting in Erie, leading commentators to speculate that it was intended to drain support from eventual Republican nominee for Pennsylvania Governor Barbara Hafer because of her pro-choice stance.[3] However, conference organizers denied such an ulterior motive.[4]

Conference presidents and speakers

Following the first meeting, the Pennsylvania Leadership Council was founded to coordinate the conference's annual organization, with Lowman S. Henry serving as president.[1] Later presidents included Sean Duffy and Gorden Blain.[1] Speakers at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference have included M. Stanton Evans, Bill Bennett, Robert Novak, Alan Keyes, Lynne Cheney, Armstrong Williams, Walter Williams, John Gizzi, and David Horowitz.[1]

References
  1. "History of the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference". Pennsylvania Leadership Conference. Pennsylvania Leadership Council. Archived from the original on 2009-12-16.
  2. "2020 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference to go virtual". ABC27. 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  3. Eshleman, Jr., Russell E. (September 17, 1989). "Harrisburg Conference Promotes Conservative Ideals and Issues". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
  4. Baer, John (September 14, 1989). "Hafer's Abortion Stand Draws Critics in GOP Slows Bid for Gubernatorial Nomination". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
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