CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kentucky will be well-represented at this week’s Republican National Convention in Charlotte as several elected officials and other headline-making members of the GOP are scheduled to speak.


What You Need To Know

  • Mitch McConnell speaks Thursday

  • Rand Paul speaks Tuesday

  • Kentucky Attorney General speaks Tuesday

  • Covington Catholic student Nicholas Sandmann scheduled

The four-day convention began Monday, Aug. 24, and the list of speakers scheduled to address supporters and make the case for President Donald Trump’s re-election include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday and Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Covington Catholic High School senior Nicholas Sandmann on Tuesday. 

Cameron’s speech takes place at a time when he is under intense scrutiny for not yet making a decision about whether to file charges against the three Louisville Metro Police Department officers involved in the March shooting death of Breonna Taylor, whose death has made international headlines and continues to be the basis of ongoing protests and demonstrations in Lousiville. He announced on Monday there would be no decision this week.

Sandmann was part of a widely reported confrontation between groups of political demonstrators on Jan. 18, 2019, that took place near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The interaction between Sandmann and Native American activist Nathan Phillips was captured on photos and videos. Sandmann was wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat that has become a symbol synonymous with Trump supporters. Videos released days later showed initial media reactions that triggered outrage throughout the country had misrepresented and omitted critical details of the incident, such as portraying the Catholic students as the aggressors. The students received death threats and the Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Ky., was temporarily closed due to fears for its students' safety.

Covington Catholic students filed a number of multi-million dollar defamation lawsuits against several news agencies and Sandmann, the student featured in most media coverage of the incident, recently received settlements for undisclosed amounts from CNN and The Washington Post.   

McConnell is providing a recorded speech. It was initially reported McConnell would not have a speaking role during the convention, but a spokesperson for McConnell’s campaign told USA Today this past Thursday he would provide taped remarks.

McConnell and Trump have worked closely in several areas, such as judicial appointments, but have oftentimes not agreed. The president expressed frustration with McConnell this week over the timing of hearings about the U.S. Postal Service.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence received the Republican nomination for re-election on Monday. 

“These Republican leaders are guiding our state and country through unprecedented challenges,” said Mac Brown, chair of the Republican party of Kentucky. “Our team is ready to deliver yet another historic year of victory fr the GOP in Kentucky.

Here is who will speak at the Republican National Convention:

TUESDAY

First Lady Melania Trump

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Sen. Rand Paul

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds

Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

Abby Johnson, anti-abortion rights activist

Jason Joyce

Myron Lizer, Navajo Nation vice president

Mary Ann Mendoza, mother whose son was killed by an illegal immigrant

Megan Pauley

Cris Peterson

John Peterson

Nicholas Sandmann, student who sued news outlets after confrontation with Native American activist

Eric Trump, son of Mr. Trump

Tiffany Trump, daughter of Mr. Trump

 

WEDNESDAY

Vice President Mike Pence

Second Lady Karen Pence

Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Sen. Joni Ernst

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

Rep. Dan Crenshaw

Rep. Elise Stefanik

Rep. Lee Zeldin

Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence

Kellyanne Conway, White House counselor

Keith Kellogg, national security adviser to the vice president

Jack Brewer, former NFL player

Sister Dede Byrne, surgeon and military veteran

Madison Cawthorn, Republican congressional nominee

Scott Dane, executive director, Associated Contract Loggers & Truckers of Minnesota

Clarence Henderson, civil rights activist

Ryan Holets, police officer known for adopting opioid-addicted baby

Michael McHale, National Association of Police Organizations president

Burgess Owens, former NFL player and GOP congressional nominee

Lara Trump, Trump campaign adviser and wife of Eric Trump

 

THURSDAY

President Trump

HUD Secretary Ben Carson

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell

Sen. Tom Cotton

House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy

Rep. Jeff Van Drew

Ivanka Trump, White House senior adviser

Ja'Ron Smith, White House assistant

Ann Dorn, widow of former police officer killed in St. Louis

Debbie Flood

Rudy Giuliani, former New York mayor

Franklin Graham, evangelical leader

Alice Johnson, ex-inmate pardoned by Mr. Trump

Wade Mayfield

Carl and Marsha Mueller, parents of U.S. aid worker killed by ISIS

Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship