The Democratic National Convention is not just a business meeting to coronate Joe Biden as a presidential nominee. It is a four-day pep rally intended to fire up the base and persuade voters to support Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in November.

That helps explain why Georgia, whose changing demographics have made it more competitive for Democrats, is playing a prominent role in the convention that starts Monday. Several Peach State residents received coveted speaking slots, including Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, an Atlanta-based pastor, a music superstar and even a MARTA bus driver.

A tribute to Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, who died last month, is also in the works.

Former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is pulling double-duty. She and 16 others will jointly deliver the keynote address on Tuesday night. Georgia state Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, is also among this group of “rising stars.”

Read more from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.

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