Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that Republican candidate for governor and former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has joined the lineup for "America Leads: An Ideas Summit" in Bentonville.
The event, hosted by Hutchinson, is set for Oct. 19. It aims to bring together thought leaders and policy makers for "robust discussion of practical, actionable ideas to address major economic, educational and foreign policy issues" the nation faces, organizers said in a news release.
The event is hosted by America Strong and Free Inc., Hutchinson's political action group.
The discussion between Hutchinson and Sanders will be moderated by Haley Barbour, former two-term governor of Mississippi, former chair of the Republican Governors Association and Republican National Committee, and White House political director under former President Ronald Reagan. Barbour currently serves as founding partner at Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm BGR Group.
"The 2022 elections will be crucial in determining the future of our nation, and we plan on having productive discussions about the issues we believe voters care about most — maintaining a strong military, keeping taxes reasonable, prioritizing freedom in faith and education, and working with the private sector to invest in our communities," Hutchinson said in the release.
Panel topics at the summit will include:
- Morning Coffee & Ideas in Diplomacy: with perspectives on China, Russia and America’s global leadership
- America Leads in Education: a look at the intersection of school choice, parental rights and the values of education
- America Leads in Securing our Future: protecting our interests, securing our border and safeguarding the next generation
- America Leads by Faith: the role of faith and freedom in policy and whether it unites or divides us
- America Leads in the Heartland: the power of ideas and entrepreneurial leadership
They event's keynote speaker is former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Other speakers include former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, Walmart heirs and Runway Group of Bentonville co-founders Tom Walton and Steuart Walton, and Steve Case, CEO of venture capital firm Revolution LLC and a co-founder of AOL.
America Strong and Free Inc. aims to promote fiscal conservatism and "rational policies" focused on strengthening the economy. It also aims to promote individual liberty while "avoiding the harsh rhetoric that divides our nation," according to its website.
Hutchinson, who is in the final months of his term-limited time in office, has been considering a run for president in 2024.
