Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was scheduled to be a featured speaker at the upcoming Northeast Republican Leadership Conference this weekend in Philadelphia.
The 2016 presidential hopeful is backing out of the event because of the tragic church killings in Charleston this week.
“Due to the terrible tragedy that took place in Charleston last night, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham will not be attending the Northeast Republican Leadership Conference,” said Megan Sweeney, a spokeswoman for the conference, in an email.
Those politicians who are still scheduled to attend the conference include:
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Republican National Committee Co-Chair Sharon Day
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina
U.S. Congressman Steve King
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus
Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush Karl Rove
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker