Despite predictions of a contested national convention, Republicans in the 10th and 12th districts selected delegates for it Saturday based on unity and party service rather than presidential candidates.
Each of the districts selected three delegates and three alternates for the convention in Cleveland this summer. They are bound to support candidates on the convention’s first ballot based on the tally from Georgia’s March 1 primary.
If frontrunner Donald Trump doesn’t collect a majority of pledged delegates before arriving in Cleveland, many observers think he is unlikely to win if the vote goes to a second or third ballot when those bound to him are free to vote for Ted Cruz or possibly someone else.
But the party regulars voting at the district meetings were more focused on achieving unity during the fall in order to win the White House. And predictions of nasty fights between supporters of Cruz and Trump.
“There really was not,” said Rep. Barry Fleming, chairman of the 12 District Convention held in Douglas, Ga.
Both campaigns repeatedly emailed those going to the district conventions to build support, although the Cruz camp was more active than Trump’s.
Cruz volunteers were outside the movie theater in Greensboro where the 10th District meet, handing out flyers listing people they wanted elected as delegates. Trump supporters also wanted to pin down who the delegates would support on the second ballot, but that wasn’t what most people at the district meetings were interested in.
“It seems that those who said they would select one candidate no matter what didn’t get selected,” said Mack Taylor, a former Columbia County commissioner attending the 10th District.
Support went to party veterans who have spent years volunteering for various candidates.
“I’d say they all lean toward people who have been around for a long time,” said John Cumbee, Bulloch County chairman.
