OKLAHOMA CITY — Nearly every major Republican presidential contender will visit Oklahoma City for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference this weekend. Oklahoma Republicans have billed it as the unofficial opening of the 2016 GOP presidential campaign, and it marks one of the most closely watched cattle calls of the candidates in the early primary season.
“The road to win back the White House begins in Oklahoma City,” said Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin in a video promoting the event. “The 2016 presidential election promises to be the most important election in our lifetime, and the choices that we make in the next two years will define America for the next generation.”
The conference is perhaps best known for its straw poll — the first major one of the campaign. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz narrowly defeated retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson in the 2014 Republican Leadership Conference straw poll, which typically attracts staunch social conservatives. Cruz and Carson, both presidential candidates, will compete to be the top pick again this year.
The poll has not always been a definitive indicator of future success, however, as former Texas Rep. Ron Paul won the conference’s poll in 2011. Former Utah Gov. John Huntsman finished in second place.
Energy policy may also loom large in Oklahoma City this weekend. The issues of the Keystone XL pipeline construction and energy independence may take on a prominent role as Republicans celebrate oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens’ 87th birthday.
Pickens’ philanthropy in Oklahoma is well known — the Oklahoma State University Cowboys play football at Boone Pickens Stadium — but Republican presidential candidates looking to win his favor have arrived too late. Pickens has already pledged his support to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. In the last presidential election cycle, Pickens waited to officially endorse GOP nominee Mitt Romney until two days before the general election.
The first presidential contender scheduled to take the stage on Thursday afternoon is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Other likely presidential candidates scheduled to appear on Thursday include former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
