Michael Grebe, president of the Milwaukee-based Bradley Foundation, one of the nation’s most prominent conservative groups, said Friday that he would not be attending the Republican convention in Cleveland, citing Donald Trump as the reason. It was the latest sign of continuing bad blood between the candidate and the broader conservative movement.
“I declined to go to Cleveland and I gave up my delegate slot because I do not want to be part of a process which results in the nomination of Donald Trump,” Grebe wrote in an email to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Grebe has long been active in Republican politics, having formerly been chairman of Wisconsin State GOP. He was also campaign chairman for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s two gubernatorial bids as well as the governor’s short-lived presidential bid last year.
The Bradley Foundation is a nonprofit group that promotes conservative education and grooms right-leaning intellectuals through fellowships and grants. It is best known for its annual award, the Bradley prize. It is no stranger to controversy. The award this year will go to social scientist Charles Murray, author of the Bell Curve.
Grebe announced last year that he will step down as president and CEO of the Bradley Foundation this month.
