GOP convo highlights

While the prez race is at the top of the priority list, Republicans also will be mulling their chances of taking back the Green Bay-area congressional seat and holding onto to the state Assembly.

Former Assembly Speaker John Gard, who is challenging Dem U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen of Appleton in a rematch of their 2006 contest, is slated to appear at the convention on Friday. He will speak Friday before the dinner and will share a hospitality suite with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville.

See WisPolitics.com background on the 8th CD rematch

Ryan, a longshot veep possibility, will also have a speaking spot at the convention, along with U.S. Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls and Tom Petri of Fond du Lac. All three will address the convention on Saturday.

Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem, Senate Minority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen will also get Saturday speaking gigs.

Hospitality suites on Friday night will be hosted by Van Hollen, Ryan, and Scott Walker, the current GOP frontrunner for the 2010 governor election.

Also hosting a suite will be Dan Mielke, the Rudolph farmer who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wausau.

The Republican Assembly Campaign Committee and Committee to Elect a Republican Senate will have a joint suite.

Friday workshops will focus on GOTV efforts and grassroots organizing, according to the party.