Michigan Republicans are meeting in Lansing this weekend to select delegates to the party’s presidential-nominating convention this summer in Cleveland.
The delegates are divided between billionaire Donald Trump, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and Ohio Governor John Kasich.
There was concern about schemes to recruit shadow delegates who would not represent their declared candidates’ interests beyond voting for them on a first ballot in a deadlocked convention.
“We’re taking the Ronald Reagan strategy – trust but verify,” says Scott Hagerstrom, Trump’s Michigan director.
Ronna Romney-McDaniel is the state Republican Party chairwoman. She says the campaigns are focused on making sure the people selected to serve as delegates are true supporters.
“Passions are high. The campaigns have been in Michigan working very hard to make sure they’re electing delegates who are not only bound to them on the first ballot, but will support them on multiple ballots,” says Romney-McDaniel.
Romney-McDaniel claimed a position as Trump delegate because he won the most votes in the Republican primary. Her uncle, 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, is a Trump critic.
