Sen. Marco Rubio will appear after all at the Republican National Convention, convention officials announced Sunday afternoon, detailing the full schedule of speakers that is heavy on celebrities and relatively light on career politicians.
The GOP acknowledged it was an “unconventional lineup” that relies on veterans, political outsiders, faith leaders and presumptive nominee Donald Trump’s family to make his case for upending Democrats’ hold on the White House.
On the list are actors Scott Baio, Antonio Sabato Jr. and Kimberlin Brown; sports figures Natalie Gulbis, a golfer, and mixed martial arts impresario Dana White; and business leaders from across the economy.
Also speaking are Mr. Trump’s wife Melania, as well as the candidate’s children Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump. The goal, officials said, was to have people who know the candidate introduce him to voters.
“We’ll be featuring speakers this week that really are beyond just the traditional political figures,” said Paul Manafort, the Trump campaign manager.
That doesn’t mean politicians are off the list entirely.
SEE ALSO: Republican National Convention 2016 speaker schedule released
Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both have slots on Tuesday, and a number of Mr. Trump’s former opponents will speak, including Mr. Rubio, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Scott Walker.
Mr. Rubio, who recently reversed himself and announced he would run again for his Senate seat, had said he would be in Florida campaigning so he wouldn’t be able to make it. His campaign said Sunday he will appear only in a video message.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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