It’s a day of heavy hitters for the New York delegation.

House Speaker John Boehner, along with former Gov. George Pataki and Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno will be headlining a joint breakfast event this morning at the delegation hotel in Clearwater.

It’s something of a coup for New York Republicans, which has had stark success in local House races, despite its Democratic-heavy enrollment.

The races are made all the more competitive by the court-drawn Congressional districts. That helps and hurts both parties: Reps. Kathy Hochul and Bill Owens are vulnerable, but so is Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth.

Boehner, of course, held something of a barnstorming trip earlier this summer, fundraising for both GOP candidates and incumbents across upstate New York.

The Boehner visit underscores New York’s status as a battleground when it comes to control for the House of Representatives and how the state GOP feels like they can grow their party through local races.

There aren’t any high-profile New Yorkers speaking at the convention, unless you count Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

And the delegation’s hotel is in Clearwater, roughly 45 minutes outside of the convention green zone in downtown Tampa.

Still, New Yorkers and Puerto Ricans are sharing the same hotel and are holding today’s event in a joint breakfast.

As Ed Cox pointed out earlier this week, he wants to highlight the state’s diversity — a nod to the changing demographics of New York overall and the clear need for the Republican Party to expand and broaden its own appeal.

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