Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and four of Missouri’s GOP candidates for governor are expected to be in Las Vegas this week for at least some of the two-day gathering of the Republican Governors Association.
The association’s annual conference is set for Wednesday and Thursday at the Encore Las Vegas, a luxury resort, casino and hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
According to the RGA’s event schedule, obtained by St. Louis Public Radio, the four Missouri candidates who have confirmed plans to attend are Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, St. Louis businessman John Brunner, former House Speaker Catherine Hanaway and former Navy SEAL Eric Greitens. The RGA did not list state Sen. Bob Dixon as attending.
Rauner also has confirmed, the RGA said.
The RGA and its counterpart, the Democratic Governors Association, are among the most powerful political players in contests for governor. The two groups previously have sent millions of dollars in direct donations to Missouri’s gubernatorial nominees.
The associations often run independent ads of their own that aid their party’s candidate or attack the rival. The groups also provide help to candidates in raising money or organizing their campaigns.
Republicans now hold a significant majority of the nation's governorships. According to the RGA's schedule, 14 of the nation's 2016 major GOP candidates in eight states are expected to show up in Las Vegas. The four from Missouri represent the largest bloc from a single state and hint at the competitiveness of the governor's race in the Show-Me State.
The RGA’s agenda for the two-day conference include sessions discussing health care, job creation and energy issues. There’s also a night-club gathering Wednesday night and optional clay-target shooting on Thursday.
Scheduled speakers include Bret Baier of Fox News.
