Kasim Reed, Stacey Abrams to speak next week at Democratic convention


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Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams will both have speaking roles at next week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

The Hillary Clinton campaign announced Thursday that Reed will join dozens of other party leaders — including mayors, governors, senators and state officials — in speaking during the four-day convention that begins Monday.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee tapped Abrams to take one of the spots granted to the group dedicated to promoting and electing Democrats to state legislatures.

Abrams will speak Monday, the same day as first lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the runner-up for the presidential nomination. It is not yet known when Reed will speak.

Other Georgians will also play a role in the week’s events. Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is co-chairwoman of the national platform committee, which will present its final draft to delegates next week. She is not expected to have a speaking role.

Also, former President Jimmy Carter will address the convention via video. He also made a video appearance at the 2012 convention in Charlotte, N.C.

The list of speakers the Clinton campaign released Thursday further stoked the rumors of who will be her vice presidential nominee. Several of those said to be among the finalists were on the list, including U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Not on the list of speakers are Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Labor Secretary Thomas Perez. Their absence, however, is due to President Barack Obama's decision to ban Cabinet members from speaking at the convention.