Deborah Adeimy crouched to her knees in a maroon dress and glittery American flag heels for an impromptu show-and-tell session with a reporter typing away on her laptop.
Adeimy said she was running for Congress to represent Palm Beach, Florida. She took a photo of herself smiling next to Trump.
Adeimy said that after they talked, Trump said he would be watching her.
She said that he impersonated the former president and pointed her finger at the reporter.
Adeimy is part of a passionate subculture that aspires to elected office and for days will roam the event space and exhibit fair hoping to meet people. Even Trump himself.
It's great meeting like minded people who have the same goals as I, so we can share best practices and just be mentors to each other.
Many budding politicians who came to CPAC were using the conference to boost their political prospects.
Attendees wore Trump-bedazzled hats, shoes, dresses, and T-shirts. Julie Hall, who is running for Congress in Massachusetts, showed a reporter a gingerbread cookie she made in the likeness of Trump.
—Kimberly Leonard (@leonardkl) February 26, 2022
If this were a Star Trek convention, the fans would probably be dressed in battle gear, chasing William Shatner or Patrick Stewart for a few words of wisdom. Today's fan can become tomorrow's star.
The chairman of the American Conservative Union that organizes CPAC said that he has had more congressional candidates introduce themselves to him.
"We are approached pretty much everywhere we walk by people running," said Rep. Greg Steube, a Republican of Florida.
Winning over conservatives in a primary is important for members of Congress and would-be lawmakers. The event can help connect people with the right people.
Mark Green told Insider that navigating CPAC is no small feat for first-timers or established politicians.
The two-term lawmaker said that they test people here.
CPAC headliners stopped in to be interviewed, including the author of Hillbilly Elegy, who is running for Senate in Ohio.
A lot of these people can be helpful, and I hope I can help them.
Adeimy hasn't yet secured a Trump endorsement, but she said she was hopeful.
She is in a crowded Republican primary field for Florida's 21st District.
Making a splash at CPAC can be a challenge for people who are new to politics.
First time candidates have a problem because they have to be seen as a candidate. The 10-term lawmaker told Insider that they have to be seen as someone who has paid their dues.
He thought Republicans were eager to run ahead of 2022, because Democrats were so radicalized.
People are saying that they will run. He said that he was worried about where his country was.
The candidate running for Congress in Massachusetts said that CPAC helped her feel less alone. She said she was inspired by the speakers.
She said that anyone can do this if they work hard.
A first-time candidate hoping to oust 15-term Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia said he would attend the CPAC to learn the ropes.
The Air Force veteran told Insider that he wanted to network and see the different kinds of conservatives here.
While he was aware that other attendees were looking at him, he too was evaluating the entire process. The goal should be to put qualified people in Congress. Those that are trying to become celebrities are not the only ones.
The political process was like a budding flower, and CPAC networking was one piece of the puzzle, said John Gibbs, who is running in a Republican primary against a congressman.
"This conference is a beautiful example of Democracy at work because regular people come from all over the country to network and learn how to be part of saving the future," said the man who had already scored a coveted Trump endorsement.
While on a comeback trail, Gibbs attended CPAC.
He was nominated by Trump to lead the Office of Personnel Management after working in the Trump administration. The appointment was put on hold in the US Senate because of a conspiracy theory that was posted on the internet.
Other candidates at the CPAC were trying to get the endorsement of Donald Trump, including one who is running for Congress in Florida and another who is running for Congress in Mississippi.
He hoped to get endorsements from other CPAC attendees such as Mehmet Oz, the TV doctor who is running for Senate in Pennsylvania. Insider was not able to reach him immediately after CPAC to find out if he had any luck.
It would be a game-changing event if Trump endorsed it.
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