The Indiana Republican Party released the names of all 57 delegates Thursday vying to be chosen to be sent to the convention after party leaders received threats for withholding their identities.
CNN reports the Indiana GOP wanted to conceal the names until the Republican National Committee certified the delegates and the RNC mandates that state parties must send a list of their delegates or “slates” at least 45 days before the convention in Cleveland. Indiana’s primary is on May 3.
Indiana party leaders and insiders chose 27 of the 57 delegates behind closed doors Wednesday and, according to CNN, the delegates selected includes: senior party fundraisers, former party chairmen and lawmakers.
Many of the delegates seem to be Kasich supporters, but a number of others, CNN notes are uncommitted or were previously Jeb Bush backers.
Party leaders told Politico they received threats after they claimed there was little motivation to help Donald Trump supporters fill delegate posts, with delegates seemingly apprehensive to get behind him.
“If Satan had the lead on him and was one delegate away from being nominated as our candidate, and Donald Trump was the alternative, I might vote for Donald Trump,” said Craig Dunn, a local GOP leader who is running to represent Indiana’s 4th Congressional District at the national convention in Cleveland. “I’ve always wanted to own a casino, but he couldn’t give me a casino and have me vote for him.”
Indiana’s 27 delegates in Cleveland will be bound to the results of the state’s primary on the first ballot at the convention. Although there is no current polling, Trump is reportedly expected to be competitive in the state’s primary.
