Wisconsin gov to speak at convention

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will be a featured speaker at the upcoming GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., says Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus.

Priebus said Walker will have a “very prominent” role during the convention later this month.

Walker, a polarizing personality in Wisconsin, has built a national reputation in the party. His widespread support outside the state helped him raise more than $30 million in the face of a recall organized by those angered over his push to end collective bargaining for most state public employees.

The GOP convention takes place Aug. 27-30.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Walker, identified in a press release as the first governor to successfully retain a seat in a recall election.

• Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Florida’s 37th attorney general and first female attorney general in state history.

• Texas Republican U.S. Senate Nominee Ted Cruz, former Texas solicitor general, the first Hispanic and youngest person in that position.

• Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño, the first Republican elected governor of Puerto Rico since 1969 and first Republican representative from Puerto Rico elected to Congress.

• Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, former chairman of the Cobb County Commission.

• Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, 43rd governor of Florida and current chairman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future.

• Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, the first woman to serve as both Oklahoma lieutenant governor and governor, and the first woman elected to Congress from Oklahoma since the 1920s.

• U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, junior senator from Kentucky and founder of the U.S. Senate Tea Party Caucus.

• Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, 2012 presidential primary candidate and former U.S. senator and U.S. representative from Pennsylvania. 

• South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina and the youngest sitting governor in the United States.

• Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the 44th governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate is a NY Times best-selling author, radio and television show host.

• Ohio Gov. John Kasich, former House budget committee chairman.

• New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the first female Hispanic governor in the U.S. and the first female governor of New Mexico.

• Arizona Sen. John McCain, the party’s 2008 nominee, now serving his fifth term in the U.S. Senate;

• Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, America’s 66th secretary of state and the first African-American female to hold the position.

• Florida Gov. Rick Scott, from the convention host state.

Republican National Convention CEO William Harris said in a news release, “We are creating a world-class program of speakers at this convention. Their love for our country and vision for a brighter and more prosperous future will resonate in Tampa and echo across our nation.”