Former Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will be speaking at the Republican National Convention, RNC Chair Reince Priebus announced in a statement Tuesday.
The two politicians were not initially on Romney’s side. As a rival candidate, Santorum levied harsh criticism against the new presumptive nominee and ended up tightening races initially presumed to be in Romney’s favor.
Paul was initially a key surrogate for his father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), a libertarian leaning long-shot candidate.
In statements released by the RNC, both praised Romney.
“I believe Governor Romney would help our country start a new path, where job creators are encouraged not punished, and where the size and scope of government are brought under control,” Paul said.
Santorum described the convention as “an important time for us to rally behind Mitt Romney and his vision to put our country back on track.”
In addition to Santorum and Paul, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin have been tapped for speaking spots.
On Monday, the RNC announced the first wave of names, which included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and 2008′s Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
The keynote speaker has not yet been announced, but the New York Post reported last month that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie would be tapped for the role.
