Texas GOP Senate hopeful Ted Cruz will get a prime time speaking spot at the Republican convention in Tampa later this month.

CNN:

Ted Cruz, who defeated an establishment backed candidate in last week's Texas Republican Senate primary, will receive a key speaking slot at the Republican National Convention, a senior GOP official confirms to CNN.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will put out a press release Wednesday announcing that Cruz and four other elected officials including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño and Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens will address the convention.

Cruz, a former state solicitor general, defeated Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in the Texas GOP primary runoff. Dewhurst had the support of Gov. Rick Perry, among others, while Cruz had the backing of tea party activists and conservatives such as Sarah Palin and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina. Cruz is expected to win the general election in November to replace fellow Republican, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Walker beat back an effort by Democrats and party allies to recall him in June. His victory has been a rallying cry for Republicans heading into the November elections.

Along with the announcement that Rand Paul will also speak, tea party favorites will be well represented despite the lack of invitation to Sarah Palin and Ron Paul.