The Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Nevada next month, tagged the "Sheldon Primary" after the group's major backer, mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, will feature former President George W. Bush and the GOP's 2012 presidential standard-bearer, Mitt Romney,
Politico reported.
Also on the confirmed speakers' list for th
e April 24–26 weekend meeting at Adelson's Venetian Resort in Las Vegas are House Speaker John Boehner, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, who is up for re-election, will also be there.
Adelson's largesse could prove a major boost to any GOP presidential contender who captures the casino billionaire's endorsement.
In 2012, he was heavily invested in
defeating President Barack Obama initially, backing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich before turning his support to Romney.
The RJC also draws other major donors in the Jewish community, some of whom take their cue from Adelson, according to Politico.
Adelson takes hawkish positions when it comes to Israel's security. Candidates have been known to emphasize their pro-Israel credentials when seeking his support.
The Washington Post labeled last year's RJC gathering "The Sheldon Primary" because it drew a large contingent of politicians who were thinking about running for president, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
The
Washington-based RJC was co-founded in 1985 while Ronald Reagan was in the White House by the late Gordon Zacks, who was close to George H.W. Bush. Adelson now chairs the group's board of directors, which includes
Florida developer Mel Sembler, a Jeb Bush supporter, according to Politico.
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