Stacey Abrams and 16 other Democrats will share one speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention this week.
The group of 17 will give the keynote address at the convention on Tuesday night, the DNC announced Sunday. Abrams was not on the original list of speakers released by the DNC, but the former Georgia gubernatorial candidate will be included in the lineup after all.
The slot being divided up among many up-and-coming Democrats has traditionally been reserved for one person who was seen as a rising star within the party. In 2004, the slot was given to then-senatorial candidate Barack Obama.
However, because the convention will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Democratic Party says it saw an opportunity to do something different this year.
“These young electeds will offer a diversity of different ideas and perspectives on how to move America forward, but they will all speak to the future we’re building together—a future with Joe Biden at the helm,” the DNC said in a statement.
“Amidst all of the chaos and crises our nation is facing, Democrats are focused on finding new and innovative ways to engage more Americans than ever before—because that’s how we’ll mobilize the nation to defeat Donald Trump in November,” said Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. “The convention keynote has always been the bellwether for the future of our party and our nation, and when Americans tune in next week they’ll find the smart, steady leadership we need to meet this critical moment.”
The convention will take place over four nights from Monday to Thursday.
In addition to Abrams, the list of keynote address speakers will include:
- State Sen. Raumesh Akbari, Tennessee.
- Rep. Colin Allred, Texas.
- Rep. Brendan Boyle, Pennsylvania.
- State Sen. Yvanna Cancela, Nevada.
- Former State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, Ohio.
- Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, Florida.
- Mayor Robert Garcia, California.
- State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania.
- State Senator Marlon Kimpson, South Carolina.
- Rep. Conor Lamb, Pennsylvania.
- State Rep. Mari Manoogian, Michigan.
- State Rep. Victoria Neave, Texas.
- President Jonathan Nez, Navajo Nation.
- State Rep. Sam Park, Georgia.
- State Rep. Denny Ruprecht, New Hampshire.
- Mayor Randall Woodfin, Alabama.
