RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Announces First Wave of Republican Convention Headliners

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus today announced the first list of headliners addressing the Republican National Convention August 27-30. Additional convention speakers, including the keynote, will be announced in the coming days and weeks. The speakers are:

• South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina and the youngest sitting governor in the United States;
  
  
• Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee,the 44th governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate is a NY Times best-selling author, radio and television show host;
  
  
• Ohio Governor John Kasich, former House Budget Committee chairman;
  
  
• New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, the first female Hispanic governor in the U.S. and the first female governor of New Mexico;
  
  
• Arizona Senator 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 66^th secretary of state and the first African-American female to hold the position; and
  
  
• Florida Governor Rick Scott, from the convention host state.

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"We are proud and excited to announce these outstanding leaders will address the nation during our convention in Tampa," said Chairman Priebus. "They are some of our party's brightest stars, who have governed and led effectively and admirably in their respective roles. Ours will be a world class convention, worthy of the next president of the United States, and these speakers—and those that will be announced later—will help make it a truly memorable and momentous event."

Republican National Convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris noted that "these individuals exemplify the Republican Party's commitment to economic growth and long-term job creation, and reflect our proud tradition of protecting America's interests around the world."

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley

"The future generations of our children and our grandchildren are at stake in this election. While Americans work to build their businesses and create jobs, leaders of the Democratic party have spent more than three years raising taxes, increasing spending and taking away our health care choices. The Republican National Convention will be a time for not just our party, but our country to come together and get behind Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States. I look forward to being a part of this historic event," said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Former Governor Mike Huckabee

"I'm honored to be invited by Governor Romney to address my fellow Republicans at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, but especially grateful for the opportunity to explain to my fellow Americans why this election provides the most stark contrast of political platforms in American history. Four years ago, we were promised an economic recovery and the creation of millions of jobs, but have now seen the longest period of record unemployment since the Great Depression. We were promised that the sacred institution of marriage would be protected, but now we have the first president in history to support changing the nature and definition of marriage. We were promised that faith would guide these decisions, but instead we have seen a full frontal assault on the conscience and convictions of religious liberty by insisting that this new government run health care system include forcing churches, colleges, hospitals, and businesses to bow their knee to the Baal of the federal government. I will do all I can to help Mitt Romney become our president," said Mike Huckabee.

Ohio Governor John Kasich

"This election comes down to one thing – jobs. In Ohio, we know what that means. It means we need a leader who believes in American innovation, American ingenuity and the can-do American spirit that embodies our country. That leader is Mitt Romney, and I am honored to be a part of officially nominating him at the Republican National Convention in Tampa," said Ohio Governor John Kasich.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez

"The Republican National Convention will give Mitt Romney momentum for securing a critical victory for our country this fall. Americans want to work. They want to build their businesses, compete and succeed in order to create more jobs and a secure future for their families. Mitt Romney knows that is the formula for our economic growth – not more government roadblocks. We will share this message in Tampa in a few weeks, and the American voters will make their voices heard on this at the polls in November," said New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.

Arizona Senator John McCain

"In these challenging times, America needs Mitt Romney in the White House. The Republican National Convention in Tampa will help give us the momentum to get him there. Mitt Romney knows that our nation's best days are still ahead of us and he has a plan to turn America's economy around and create jobs again. He knows that more government is not the answer; it's the hard work and ingenuity of the American people that will move our country forward. Mitt Romney believes, as Ronald Reagan did, that America has a unique and indispensable leadership role to promote security and prosperity around the world. I am very proud to support Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States," said Senator John McCain.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

"Americans are looking for leadership in Washington to advance the belief that free markets and free people are the cornerstones to our country's future. I look forward to being a part of the Republican National Convention later this month to support those beliefs by nominating Mitt Romney to be our next president," said Condoleezza Rice.

Florida Governor Rick Scott

"The Republican National Convention comes at a critical time for determining America's future. Mitt Romney knows that it is the hard-working people of America who build businesses and create jobs – not the government. We share that same belief here in Florida where we continue our progress in helping to create jobs by moving government out of the way of our businesses. I look forward to telling our story to the world when we gather in Tampa in just a few weeks," said Florida Governor Rick Scott.

About the 2012 Republican National Convention

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012.  Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to come to the Tampa Bay area for the event, including delegates, alternate delegates, media and other guests.  For more information about the 2012 Republican National Convention, become part of the virtual convention at www.ConventionWithoutWalls.com, visit our website www.GOPConvention2012.com and check out our official blog, Conventional Wisdom, at www.gopconvention2012.com/blog/.

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SOURCE 2012 Republican National Convention