PARK CITY, Utah (AP) - Top Republican lawmakers, wealthy political donors and powerful business leaders are gathered in the Utah ski town of Park City for an annual summit hosted by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham are among the high-profile officials attending the event that runs through Saturday. Romney is scheduled to speak Friday.
The event kicked off Thursday night with a welcome by Romney nd a speech by Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute.
At sunrise Friday, Romney led a group hike up a steep trail winding around a ski resort near the upscale hotel where the event is being held.
Romney, 70, took off running up the hill, leaving behind most of the people in a group of several dozen people that included investors, New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu and a handful of journalists.
Biden, fresh off the launch of his new political action committee that ignited speculation of a 2020 presidential campaign, is scheduled to be interviewed Friday evening by Romney.
Biden’s spokeswoman said he’s attending because he wants to ensure there’s communication among both major parties.
The invitation-only gathering at the Stein Eriksen Lodge includes a mix of discussions about foreign policy and the economy with outdoor activities. It has traditionally been a summit of Romney allies that mixes policy discussions and seminars with mountain outings and activities such as hikes with Romney, and skeet-shooting with Ryan and Graham.
The event, called the Experts and Enthusiasts summit, includes investors in Solamere Capital, a private equity firm founded by Romney’s son, Tagg.
Romney, who now lives in Utah, has hosted summits or donor retreats in Park City since 2012, the year he ran for president.
President Donald Trump declined an invitation to the gathering.
In the months leading up to last fall’s election, Romney was a prominent Trump critic but sought to repair the relationship after the reality star and business mogul became president. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, was briefly considered a candidate to serve as Trump’s secretary of state.
Among the roughly 230 attendees at this year’s summit are several business leaders who’ve questioned Trump’s approach on trade and climate change, including FedEx CEO Fred Smith and Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris, who also heads Trump’s manufacturing council
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