Just in:

The American Conservative Union (ACU) today announced that Dr. Ben Carson will be a featured speaker at CPAC 2013 — the 40th annual Conservative Political Action Conference. America’s largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists will be held Thursday, March 14 – Saturday, March 16, 2013.

ACU Chairman Al Cardenas said, “Dr. Ben Carson represents the optimism and hope of the future of the conservative movement, while at the same time he articulates the deep fiscal and social challenges that our Nation faces.”

Carson became a hero of the right for delivering a fiscally conservative speech in front of President Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Others confirmed to speak at CPAC include…

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn, former U.S. Representative Ann Marie Beurkle, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, former U.S. Representative Artur Davis, U.S. Representative Sean Duffy and Rachel Campos-Duffy, Heritage Foundation President-Elect Jim DeMint, Heritage Foundation President Dr. Edwin Feulner, ACU Board Member Carly Fiorina, U.S. Representative Cory Gardner, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, NRA President and ACU Board Member David Keene, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre, U.S. Senator Mike Lee, Mayor of Saratoga Springs, UT Mia Love, former U.S. Representative Connie Mack, U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Radio Host and Breitbart TV Editor in Chief Larry O’Connor, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, Texas Governor Rick Perry, U.S. Representative Mike Pompeo, U.S. Representative Tom Price, U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, U.S. Representative and Republican Study Committee Chairman Steve Scalise, Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafly, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, former U.S. Representative Allen West, U.S. Representative Ann Wagner, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.