Who is speaking at RNC Day 2? Haley, DeSantis are likely to be most closely watched
The 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee entered its second day Tuesday, after a jam-packed first day of festivities Monday including the formal nomination of former President Donald Trump and the announcement of Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his running mate.
Every day of the convention is centered around a theme, and Tuesday’s is “Make America Safe Once Again.” The day is set to feature speeches and events focused on increasing border security, tackling the fentanyl crisis and decreasing violent crime.
The most anticipated speakers include Trump's former primary opponents such as Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who until Monday wasn't expected to attend the convention at all.
The first session is slated to start at 4:57 p.m. CT/5:57 E.T. It will run until roughly 10 p.m. CT/11 p.m. ET.
Here’s a look at the speakers who are expected to take the stage:
Senators and senate candidates:
Sen. Rick Scott, R.Fla
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.
Kari Lake, Senate candidate for Arizona
Eric Hovde, Senate candidate for Wisconsin
Bernie Moreno, Senate candidate for Ohio
Dave McCormick, Senate candidate for Pennsylvania
Jim Banks, Senate candidate for Wisconsin
Sam Brown, Senate candidate for Nevada
Tim Sheehy, Senate candidate for Montana
U.S. House members and candidates:
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., House Republican Conference Chair
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., House Majority Whip
Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., House Majority Leader
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., House Speaker
Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J.
Hung Cao, GOP U.S. House candidate for Virginia’s 10th congressional district
Former 2024 GOP presidential candidates:
Vivek Ramaswamy, former biotech entrepreneur
Nikki Haley, former Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a former 2024 GOP presidential candidate
Governors:
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, R-Ark.
Gov. Jim Justice, R-W.Va .
Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn.
Other Republican leaders:
Lara Trump, chair of the RNC
Reince Priebus, former RNC chair and White House chief of staff under Trump
Ben Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump
Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.
Eric Johnson, Mayor of Dallas
Brenda Bird, Iowa attorney general
Activists and influencers:
Savannah Chrisley, a reality TV star
Randy Sutton, founder and chair, Wounded Blue
Matt Brooks, CEO, Republican Jewish Coalition
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RNC speakers list Day 2: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio
