The announcement comes after his campaign initially indicated on Thursday that he would not speak as part of the convention. But Katharine Cooksey, a spokeswoman for McConnell’s campaign, said that was a “miscommunication” and that the GOP leader will be submitting taped remarks…

In addition to his own race — which some polls suggest could be tight, though McConnell remains the favorite — he’s also fighting to hold on to his Senate majority, where Republicans hold a 53-47 margin. To take back the Senate Democrats either need a net gain of three seats and to win the White House or a net pick up for four seats for an outright majority.