The three Republican presidential candidates are reportedly seeking Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s endorsement ahead of the state’s May 3 primary.
Thirty of the Hoosier State’s 57 delegates are allocated to the Republican candidate with the most statewide votes. The remaining delegates are awarded to candidates who win each of Indiana’s nine congressional districts.
Front-runner Donald Trump is scheduled to see Pence on Wednesday before a campaign rally at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Trump’s nearest opponent, [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore], is expected in the Hoosier state on Thursday where he will join Pence and Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin at the state GOP’s Spring Dinner, Fox 59 reported.
“We have offered invitations to all of the presidential candidates, and we are honored that Sen. Ted Cruz has accepted the invitation,” said Indiana Republican Party Chairman Jeff Cardwell to Fox 59. “This election cycle has put Indiana in a historic spot and we are ready for an exciting year.”
GOP primary number crunchers say Indiana is a pivotal state in order for Trump to round up the majority of delegates and win the nomination. Cruz has a head start when it comes to the delegate strategy.
Club For Growth is expected to spend around $1 million in Indiana in an effort to beat Trump in the state, USA Today reported.
“We’re gearing up to have a major presence there,” former Indiana Republican Rep. David McIntosh said of the group’s super political action committee. “It’s key that (Texas Sen. Ted) Cruz win (Indiana) to stop Trump from getting the nomination.”
Indiana Republicans selected 27 delegates at their national convention earlier this month and according to Politico, many party leaders and officials conducting the delegate selection process are decidedly anti-Trump, including state party national committeeman John Hammond.
Regardless of state party sentiment toward the New York businessman, the state results of the state primary bound the delegates to how they vote in the first ballot in Cleveland.
The May 3 primary is expected to be competitive, but there is no current polling available to measure where the candidates stand with the primary voters in the state.