November 14, 2023
Mock Con’s Presidential Gala Creates Convention Buzz
Washington and Lee University’s 28th Mock Convention Brings Prominent Speakers to Campus The student-led convention, held every four years, will bring several notable speakers to W&L on Feb. 9-10.
Mock Convention, the nation’s most accurate mock political nominating convention and one of the longest-running traditions at Washington and Lee University, has announced its lineup of speakers for Mock Con 2024. The student-led convention, which will be held Feb. 9-10, includes a delegates parade through downtown Lexington, a slate of notable speakers across four sessions and the naming of the Republication presidential nominee.
Mock Convention is a simulated presidential nominating convention held on campus every four years that focuses on the party currently out of power in the White House. Founded in 1908, Mock Con has recorded 74% accuracy over its 116-year history. By the conclusion of the convention, 97% of W&L’s student body will have participated in some aspect of the convention. Mock Con gives students the opportunity to conduct an in-depth academic exercise in consultation with faculty advisers, gain valuable experience in organizational management and engage in crucial political discourse.
Since its inception, the convention has brought five U.S. Presidents to campus — Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden — among countless vice presidents, representatives, journalists and other thought leaders. Speakers at this year’s convention are divided into four sessions being held at the university’s Richard L. Duchossois Tennis Center:
Session One (12:30-4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9): Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, political commentator Candace Owens and pollster Kirsten Anderson.
Session Two (6-9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9): Former Secretary of State and CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Axios co-founder Mike Allen (1986 graduate of W&L), former Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.
Session Three (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10): Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization Donald Trump Jr., Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Session Four (3-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10): Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Fox News co-host Kayleigh McEnany and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt with Ruthless Variety podcast. Session four culminates with the formal prediction for the Republican presidential nominee.
The 28th Mock Convention kicks off with the delegates parade, which is free and open to the public, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, down Main Street in Lexington. General admission tickets to the speaker sessions are sold-out. For those unable to join in person, a livestream of the event will be available.
Members of the media who would like to cover the event should RSVP through this form. For more information on this year’s convention, visit https://www.mockconvention.com.
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ADDITIONAL STORIES
Read more articles about the 2024 Mock Convention on The Columns, including profiles of students on this year’s executive committee and a feature on unique items from past conventions housed in the university’s Special Collections and Archives.
Washington and Lee University’s 2024 Mock Convention political team has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to crunch the numbers for the latest presidential nominee prediction.
Special Collections Exhibit Showcases Mock Convention Memories
W&L’s University Special Collections and Archives worked with the 2024 Mock Convention to debut an exhibit showcasing extraordinary items from past conventions.
Mock Con’s Presidential Gala Creates Convention Buzz
The 28th Mock Convention’s Presidential Gala was held in November 2023 in the Duchossois Tennis Center and Outing Club Pavilion.
Mock Convention’s Spring Kickoff Features Former Vice President
Mock Con 2024 hosted a conversation between former Vice President Mike Pense and Bret Baier, Fox News chief political anchor, for its Spring Kickoff event in March 2023.
Student Organization Spotlight: Mock Convention
Meet the six members of this year’s student executive leadership team.
Mock Convention Welcomes Former First Lady and Daughter for Parents and Family Weekend
Former First Lady Barbara Bush and First Daughter Barbara Pierce Bush shared lessons and memories from their days in the White House.
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