Around 18 of the 25 North Dakota GOP delegates slated to go to the Republican National Convention this summer were on a list the Cruz camp asked North Dakota GOPers to support, according to reports, but some argue at least a plurality of the delegates support the Trump and Kasich campaigns.
“I’m thrilled to have the vote of confidence of Republican voters in North Dakota who delivered such a resounding victory today. As I met them over the weekend, North Dakota Republicans recognized that I am the only candidate who can move this country forward by protecting freedom and liberty. Whether we defeat Donald Trump before the convention or at it, I’m energized to have the support of the vast majority of North Dakota delegates,” Sen. [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore] said in a statement Sunday night.
Here’s what we know abt #NDGOP16 list: includes 18 of the slate Cruz pushed, Trump camp says slate at least 5 off https://t.co/KR2OL3qe2V
— Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) April 3, 2016
All 25 delegates are unbound and can change their minds on the candidate they are supporting at any time between now and the convention. Additionally, CNN reports that the Trump and Kasich campaigns say the final unbound delegate list is favorable towards them. Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski tweeted out victory message in North Dakota to his followers.
Huge victory for @realDonaldTrump today in North Dakota. Thanks to @RealBenCarson and our team led by Ed Brookover. Welcome Rep Cramer !!!
— Corey Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) April 3, 2016
North Dakota is one of two states that does not hold party preference polls during the primary season and instead chooses their candidates at their state convention.
Here are the 18 Cruz slate delegates in the top 25 in ND delegation. Highlighted in yellow on the list. pic.twitter.com/AwSOgq7KmJ
— Josh Putnam (@FHQ) April 3, 2016
The 25 delegates below are the final slate the North Dakota GOP will send to Cleveland:
1.Rick Becker 2.Jack Dalrymple
3.Shane Goettle 4. Wayne Stenejhem
5.Jim Poolman 6.Dick Dever
7.Bette Grande 8.Wesley Belter
9.David Hogue 10.Jessica Unruh
11.Betsy Dalrymple 12.Ben Koppleman
13.Roscoe Streyle 14.Mark Owens
15.Gary Emineth 16.Janne Myrdal
17.John Trandem 18.Clare Carlson
19.Scott Louser 20.John Olson
21.Bob Wefald 22.Kelly Schmidt
23.Judy Estenson 24.James Kerian
25.Daniel Traynor
The delegates were chosen from a pool of 74 nominated delegates. The Cruz camp initially found itself fighting against the tide when the convention voted down a request to reveal the candidate allegiances of all the potential delegates vying to go to Cleveland this summer, Politico reported.
“This campaign is coming down to a ground game battle for delegates. We will fight for every last delegate vote all the way to Cleveland. We are committed to making sure Donald Trump is not the Republican nominee and that the GOP wins the White House this fall with a principled conservative. Republicans at the North Dakota Convention rejected Trump, just like the entire Republican base will do this summer in Cleveland,” said Brian Baker, senior advisor for Our Principles PAC (OPP), an anti-Trump PAC that was on the ground in Fargo during the convention.
The PAC, according insiders, spoke with convention attendees and advocated for a slate of “not-Trump” delegates. This effort included a team of volunteers who handed out over one thousand voter guides and other materials on Trump. Additionally, OPP engaged in an “aggressive” mobile ad campaign and phone bank operation aimed at each North Dakota State Convention attendee.
Dick Dever, a state senator who appeared on the North Dakota party slate, said Saturday he preferred Kasich, but that “the verdict is still out” on who he could “possibly” decide on the day of the convention, NBC News reported.
Additionally, the Trump campaign received the endorsement of North Dakota’s only Congressman, Republican Rep. [crscore]Kevin Cramer[/crscore], who has been lobbying delegates on behalf of the Trump campaign.
The Cruz team on the ground in Fargo, led by North Dakota GOPer Bette Grande, found a way around the failed request and circulated sheets of paper listing Cruz’s supporters at the convention. One GOP insider who was at the convention Sunday night told The Daily Caller that Cramer’s endorsement of Trump “had relatively little” impact on the final slate’s outcome, and that Trump’s “efforts were not as successful as [Cruz’s] efforts.”
