The convention's notable speakers

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney embraces Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., Monday, April 30, 2012, in Portsmouth, N.H.

/ AP Photo/Jim Cole

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, New Hampshire

Who:
First-term New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, like several others on the convention speaking list, was reportedly on Mitt Romney's list of possible running mates.

Why:
She hails from a battleground state and was an early Romney supporter; she endorsed him last November, backing him when more than a half dozen other candidates vied for the Republican nomination. She been a popular surrogate, taking to the campaign trail while he was on his overseas trip; she joined Romney for a Fourth of July parade during his vacation at his lake house in New Hampshire and she campaigned for him on one of his bus tours earlier this summer.

Role:
In a recent editorial in the Union Leader newspaper, she said of Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, "Together, they will be America's Comeback Team."

Ayotte is scheduled to speak Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET.

"Our country is facing great challenges, and the nomination of Mitt Romney to be our next president at the Republican National Convention will be a critical step for us to begin cleaning up the mess in Washington," Ayotte said in a statement posted on the Republican convention website.