Meet the Republican National Convention speakers

This year’s selection of speakers each have support from differing bases around the country and within the party, as Republicans attempt to broaden their appeal to voters.

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Artur Davis

Former Rep. Artur Davis, who served in the House as a Democrat from Alabama from 2003 to 2011, says he has been given a speaking slot at the Aug. 27-30 Republican National Convention in Tampa. At the 2008 Democratic convention, Davis officially seconded President Obama’s nomination. He has since become a vocal supporter of GOP candidate Mitt Romney.

Michael S. Williamson / The Washington Post

Chris Christie

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver the keynote address at the Republican convention. Christie, an outspoken first-term governor, was once considered a candidate for Mitt Romney's running mate.

Mel Evans / AP

Marco Rubio

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) will introduce Mitt Romney on the last night of the Republican convention. Rubio has campaigned with Romney and was considered to be on the short list for a vice presidential nod.

John Locher / AP

Rick Santorum

The former senator from Pennsylvania campaigned hard against Mitt Romney in the GOP primaries, winning several states but never overtaking Romney in the delegate count. He has a focus on social conservatism but will likely promote party unity as a speaker.

Charlie Riedel / AP

Rand Paul

The selection of the senator from Kentucky as a speaker is likely an effort to woo his tea party supporters, many of whom are not strictly tied to the Republican Party.

Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images

Jeb Bush

The former Florida governor and son of former president George H.W. Bush has been thought of as both a possible presidential and vice-presidential candidate throughout this race. His selection as a speaker may be related to his active stance on education reform.

Wilfredo Lee / AP

Mary Fallin

In addition to being the first woman elected to Congress from Oklahoma since the 1920s, Fallin was also the first woman to serve both as lieutenant governor and governor (her current post) of the state. Her selection as a speaker is likely an effort to gain more female support for the GOP.

Garett Fisbeck / AP

Nikki Haley

An Indian American and at 40 years old currently the youngest sitting governor, the South Carolina leader may have been selected to exhibit the youth and diversity of the Republican Party.

Mary Ann Chastain / AP

John Kasich

Kasich's selection as a speaker could be tied to the fact that he is the governor of Ohio, a crucial swing state for Republicans in this year's race.

Tony Dejak / AP

Rick Scott

Like Kasich, Scott is also a freshman governor from a crucial swing state in this year's race: Florida. He has also endured a rough first few years as governor, garnering him support within the party.

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Condoleezza Rice

The secretary of state during the George W. Bush administration will play a large role at the convention as a speaker, as she may appeal to moderate voters and reassure concerns over Romney's foreign policy credentials.

Rogelio V. Solis / AP

Susana Martinez

The New Mexico governor may represent the Republicans' effort to reach out to Hispanic voters, as she is a successful leader serving a heavily Democratic state.

Susan Montoya Bryan / AP

Mike Huckabee

The 2008 GOP presidential hopeful and Fox News commentator’s success at communicating with voters nationally may have earned him this speaker spot. The ordained Southern Baptist Minister and former Arkansas governor also appeals to Christian conservatives.

J. Scott Applewhite / AP

John McCain

The Arizona senator is a fixture in the Republican Party. While he edged out Romney for the party’s nomination in 2008, McCain has been a vocal supporter of the presumptive nominee in this year’s campaign.

Don Burk / AP

FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES

A protestor in a Guy Fawkes mask walks past razor wire outside a security perimeter of the G-8 summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland on Monday, June 17, 2013. The summit is taking place under heavy security, with some 7,000 police lining roads and checking vehicles. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Photos of the day

G-8 summit, massive protests rock Brazil, Britain’s Royal Ascot and more.

Two-year old male rat named Dyatlik wears a costume during a rodent exhibition in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, June 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Animal views

Rodent exhibition, swimming with elephants, Mexico’s feline mayoral candidate and more.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Johnathon Carrington, valedictorian at Dunbar High School, laughs with family and friends after his school's graduation ceremony at Howard University on Friday, June 14, 2013, in Washington, DC. Carrington, who grew up in Tyler House public-housing apartments and is graduating from one of DC's low-performing high schoolsy, where academic expectations are high. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Johnathon’s journey

Johnathon Carrington graduated Friday as the valedictorian of his neighborhood school, Dunbar High, and is headed to Georgetown University. But Carrington, 17, is nervous, and so are...

U.S. actress Sandra Bullock poses for the media during a photocall to promote her latest move 'The Heat' in Berlin June 18, 2013. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (GERMANY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Sandra Bullock, Jessica Sanchez, Snooki, Billy Porter, Billy Crystal, Sean Hayes, Gwen Stefani and other celebrities.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Reenactors dressed as knights stage a medieval jousting competition at Eltham Palace on June 16, 2013 in Eltham, England. The 'Grand Medieval Joust' event at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property which was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to give a great insight into life at the palace during the medieval period. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The Grand Medieval Joust

The Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace, an English Heritage property that was the childhood home of King Henry VIII, aims to lend insight through reenactment into life at the palace...

In this June 8, 2013 photo, youth compete in the Sao Carlos slum local soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The pitch is just dirt and the incandescent lights aren't so bright. But when the boys' feet strike the football in the Sao Carlos slum as night falls every Saturday, big league dreams glow, inflated by the hope of escaping the shantytown with sporting skills. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Brazil’s other soccer fields

With the Confederations Cup opening this week and the World Cup one year away, all eyes are on Brazil, where soccer is arguably played with more passion and art than anywhere else....

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: John F. Tatum Sr. hugs his grandson John F. Tatum III during his annual Father's Day block party on Sunday, June 16, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post)

Father’s Day picnic in Northeast D.C.

A decades-old backyard barbecue in Northeast Washington draws hundreds in honor of dads everywhere. “It’s off-the-chain fun,” says Butch McNair, who has worked one...

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 16: Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady reacts after being crowned Miss USA during the 2013 Miss USA pageant at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on June 16, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Miss USA 2013

Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady is crowned Miss USA 2013 in Las Vegas.

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